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Germantown Academy 5th graders study the rainforest and all the factors contributing to its demise. They perform an annual "Forest Fest" play to educate their fellow students and their parents about what they've learned. For the last few years, I have met with them to share my experiences visiting OFI's orangutan orphanage.
This year, much to my surprise, I was a character in their play. Two students hit the stage as "Eco Heroes" shouting "I'm Gigi Glendinning and I'm Dr. Birute' Galdikas and we're here to save orangutans!" I was flattered to say the least, and fought back tears as I watched Elizabeth (right) dash around the stage in a green cape, playing me, re-enacting the moment when Dr. Galdikas confiscated an illegally kept "pet" monkey, chained to a front porch.
These kids definitely retained the facts I shared with them. Three other students cleverly wrote a scene dressed to represent three major corporations - Staples, Disney, and Mattel - who've committed to using 100% recycled paper products.
The "Easy Button" ended the scene by pressing his stomach and saying "saving the rainforest is just that easy" -- it was incredibly creative, I was beyond impressed!
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