Melton and Roberts
The U.S. Marine Corps' annual Toys for Tots Drive got a boost this year thanks to a collection effort made on behalf of the drive by Catawba College's Center for the Environment Environmental Stewards program. And the Stewards, got some help with their effort from a young assistant, Aidan Melton of Salisbury, whom they dubbed "The Littlest Steward."
The toys that the Environmental Stewards collected thanks in part to the generosity of local businesses and the Stewards taking advantage of buy one get one sales was turned over to USMC Staff Sergeant Brian Roberts of the Salisbury recruiting office. Aidan, who believes that the Marines are the protectors of Santa Claus, was there for the toy hand-off, accompanied by his grandmother, Environmental Steward Colleen Smiley '15, and his mother, Catawba alumna Tara Smiley Melton '07. Aidan, age 5, is a kindergarten student at Sacred Heart.
L-R: Colleen Smiley, Doug Turner, Eli Wittum, Aidan Melton, SSgt Brian Roberts, and Payden Mitchell.
Catawba's eighteen 2014-2015 Environmental Stewards used their collection effort as a service project. Established in 2012, the Environmental Stewards Program supports the ideals, values and commitment of conservationists and environmental stewards. In addition to emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship, this program follows the mission of Catawba College. In order for students to be eligible for the Environmental Steward scholarship, they must plan to major or minor in Catawba's Environmental Program and demonstrate high academic achievement and a commitment to environmental stewardship, community service and involvement. Students also must have a 1000 SAT or a 3.0 high school GPA (current college students must have a 3.0 GPA) in order to be eligible.
In addition to Colleen Smiley, other Environmental Stewards include Kerstin Brown, Hannah Davis, Sloan Kessler, Haley King, Morgan King, Madison Lemoine, Payden Mitchell, Erica Pippen, Hannah Przelomski, Max Royal, Joel Schlaudt, Katherine Shumaker, William Spencer, Seth Stephens, Doug Taylor, Alex Turner and Eli Wittum.
