Willow Lane Elementary School Debuts 'Trashion Show 2011'

Cans, bottles, plastic bags and juice pouches were the inspiration for many of the creations made by more than 140 gifted students from all seven East Penn elementary schools on April 27 as they debuted in the district's first-ever "Trashion Show" at .

Thirty-three finalists paraded through the gym and ultimately walked the red-carpeted runway before Alburtis fourth-grader Kellyn Kunkle took first place for her unique “magazine dress” made from shiny pages bunched together to make florets.

Other winners included Paige Thomas of Willow Lane, Maya Kita of Jefferson and  Edna Creelman and Benjamin Wilson, both of Lincoln.

Each finalist received a “swag bag” filled with a collection of green gifts from the  Baum School, Barnes and Noble, Civic Theater, Fashion Bug, Giant, Herr’s, Home & Planet, Target, Wegmans and the Wildlands Conservancy.

DJ Freddie Frederick donated his services to provide the soundtrack to each student's “trash” walk, and Willow Lane Principal Anthony Moyer periodically asked the guests environmentally-focused trivia questions for prizes.

Jazz Band performed several numbers to add some excitement to the show, and at one point, Bruce Denmead, the EHS Jazz Band director, led several elementary students in a drumming session using old stools from EHS, trash cans, water jugs, chlorine buckets, pots and pans and recycled milk jugs with old bolts inside.