P4P Thank you Article

Submitted by Kathryn Latour

On Monday, April 22, 2013, the weather was so gorgeous and the sky so blue, it was as if the Earth knew that Gunn would be holding a Rally for the Planet to celebrate Palo Alto-wide Earth Day. The day began with the distribution of tickets for all students who elected NOT to come to school by car (carpoolers excepted). Adult volunteers Don Nielson, Kim Harisay, Nina Bell, Loren and Linda Baker, Steve Shi, and Sonya Bradski assisted Penny Ellson and Kathryn Latour (P4P) and members of the Gunn Green team in handing out over 1000 raffle tickets to bussers, walkers, skate boarders, and -- our favorite -- cyclists, who made up over 585 of those eco-friendly commuters.

At the lunch time rally, Gunn students were honored by the presence of PAUSD School Board President Dana Tom, and City of Palo Alto Mayor Greg Scharff who drew the winners of the Earth Day Raffle. Congratulations go to these winners who won the following gift cards: freshman Sherry Z. (iTunes), senior Paymahn M. (Sprinkles), junior Lauren S (Cinemark), and junior Stephanie C (Van's). Also at the rally, the Green Team and Traffic Safety manned displays underscoring the importance of recycling, biking safely, and using VTA as a commuting option. VTA gave away bike reflectors and provided information on bus service, including their new Summer Blast Pass for students up to age 17.

The following afternoon, the Earth Day celebration continued with the Palo Alto Police Department, represented by Officer Michael Kan, offering bike licensing to Gunn students. He was helped by Explorers Austin K. (freshman) and Dillon T. (sophomore), adult volunteers Marilyn Keller, Lynne Russell, and Nancy Smith, Kathryn Latour and Penny Ellson and Green Team members Eliana R. (junior), Chrissy K. (junior), Mario K. (junior), President Wendy P. (senior), Yannie Y. (senior), and Kevin L. (sophomore). All totaled, these volunteers licensed 51 bikes! Students who were not able to take advantage of this on-site licensing can go to any Palo Alto Fire Station to have it done. (Call for times.) There is a nominal fee but licensing one's bike is a surer way to get it returned if it is stolen.

Many thanks to the Gunn community for helping its student body value our planet!

P4P Team