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BROWARD COUNTY STUDENTS WIN STATEWIDE JIMINY CRICKET ENVIRONMENTALITY CHALLENGE, TRIP TO
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 28, 2005) — A fifth grade class from Tradewinds Elementary School in Coconut Creek is the winner of the 2005 Disney Environmentality Challenge.

Jiminy Cricket himself paid a surprise visit to Broward County teacher Jill Putney's class in March to tell the students they would be honored at the resort in April as the winners of the statewide competition. The program — a partnership between Walt Disney World Co. and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection — encourages students to think and act environmentally at home, at school and in the community.

The class's award-winning program included the initiation of a school-wide recycling campaign and a pilot Adopt-a-Street program that other local schools are expected to implement over the next year. In addition to making the road outside their school cleaner and safer for wildlife, the students estimate their recycling efforts have saved 112,320 trees and 7,000 pounds of paper.

The 30 students in Putney's class arrived at the Walt Disney World Resort on April 27 and stayed overnight at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. That evening a private party was held in their honor at Epcot. The fun continued this morning, when they enjoyed special recognition at Disney's Animal Kingdom and participated in a behind-the-scenes educational experience. The awards ceremony featured Secretary Colleen Castille of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Dr. Beth Stevens, vice president of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Earlier this school year, all fifth-grade students throughout Florida's public school system were presented with the opportunity to participate in the two-part environmental challenge. More than 7,800 students made a pledge to take action to help the environment, and more than 45 classrooms implemented extensive environmental programs.

Disney's Environmentality Challenge originated in California and expanded to Florida seven years ago. Nearly 100,000 students have participated in the Florida program, which is an initiative of Walt Disney's World Co's community outreach, DisneyHand-Helping Kids Shine. Through this initiative, Walt Disney World Co. seeks to build better futures for children by promoting four platforms: connecting with adults, constructive use of free time, character development and compassion. In 2004 alone, the Walt Disney World Resort donated $24.7 million in cash and in-kind support — and Cast Members volunteered more than 183,000 hours — to benefit local non-profit organizations.

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Note: For more information or to make media arrangements to visit the Walt Disney World Resort with the students, please contact Bonnie McGuire at the Walt Disney World Resort Public Affairs department at 407-828-3814.