LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services of Los Angeles is pleased to announce this year's scholarship recipients of the 2013-2014 Republic Services Scholarship Program. The Program recognizes college-bound Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) high school seniors who have shown a passion and appreciation for the preservation of our planet. This year, 16 environmentally savvy students were selected and will each receive $1,000 college scholarships.

The 2013-2014 Scholarship recipients include Cindy Argomaniz from James A. Garfield High School; Jorge Luis Valdez from Woodrow Wilson High School; Wendy Lisseth Villalta from Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School; Gerardo Torres from James A. Garfield High School; Adrian Garza from North Hollywood High School; Cynthia Kim from Granada Hills Charter High School; Ethan R. Turer from Granada Hills Charter High School; Eduardo Santoy from North Hollywood High School; Iliana Enriquez from John C. Fremont High School; Esmeralda Madrigal from Phineas Banning High School; Malik Henry from New Millennium Secondary School; Catherine Saaty from San Pedro High School; Samantha Kimberly Gonzalez Padilla from John C. Fremont High School; Carlos Sanchez from Manual Arts High School; Astrid Gomez from Susan Miller Dorsey High School; and Ruth Morales Toledo from Manual Arts High School.

"Together with LAUSD, Republic is helping to initiate a healthy dialogue and thoughtful insight among the student body," said Ron Krall, area president for Republic Services in Los Angeles. "Our younger generations are already key stakeholders in what happens to our environment, and this year's winners are the future leaders in environmental stewardship. Congratulations to all 16 recipients of this year's scholarship."

In total, Republic received submissions on topics ranging from environmental stewardship to ways to encourage fellow classmates to recycle more. Specific student submissions included:

• ·Adrian Garza's essay on composting food waste from the school cafeteria as well as soliciting local restaurants for their organic waste. The nutrient rich compost could then be used onsite or sold locally to raise money for the school.
  
• Cindy Argomaniz's essay on finding ways to rapidly increase youth recycling through student-focused incentive programs.
  
• Iliana Enriquez's essay on how she intends to raise the world's social responsibility conscience through her desire to become an environmental studies researcher. She intends to focus her future efforts on finding alternative ways for humans to live more sustainably.

About the Republic Services Scholarship Program:
The Republic Services Scholarship Program, which was formed in 2012, and was created to inspire students to solve and tackle pressing issues regarding the conservation of our planet. The annual scholarship program is open to college-bound LAUSD High School Seniors. Students must write an essay, limited to 500 words, focused around an environmental theme. This year's theme was, "An environmental partner you can count on."

Each submitted essay is judged by a panel of industry experts on the quality of writing, creativity, and demonstrated passion with a clear vision for environmental excellence.

All 16 recipients will receive their scholarships at an awards ceremony on May 1, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room on the first floor at LAUSD Headquarters located at 333 S. Beaudry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90017. The ceremony is open to the public and media are invited to attend.

About Republic Services:
Republic is an industry leader in the U.S. non-hazardous solid waste and recycling industry. Through its subsidiaries, Republic's collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills focus on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Republic and its employees believe in protecting the planet and applying common sense solutions to customers' waste and recycling challenges.

Recognizing teamwork and education as essential to creating environmental change, Republic Services is working to help Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students reach waste reducing goals within their district and become leaders in the three R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

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SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.