Anti-litter mascot cleans up with new name

By Mattia Bray
Special to the Reporter-News
Wednesday, March 4, 2009

You've heard of Pepe LePew. Now meet Pepe ReNew. Not to be confused with the amorous skunk in Warner Bros. cartoons, Pepe ReNew is the new mascot for Keep Abilene Beautiful. The KAB board chose the name Wednesday from 15 suggestions sent in by schools participating in recycling programs on their campuses, said KAB Executive Director Jill Flores. Students from Dyess Elementary School submitted the winning name for the skunk. "The name encompasses our three focus areas of litter prevention, recycling and beautification," said Flores. Pepe ReNew will represent KAB at parades, ArtWalk and other events.

Abilene students enlisted in 'Name the Skunk' contest

By Mattia Bray
Special to the Reporter-News
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Keep Abilene Beautiful has teamed up with the Abilene Independent School District's Partners in Education program to invite students who attend certain schools involved in recycling to name KAB's new mascot -- a skunk.

MaryAnn Martin, coordinator for Partners in Education and KAB board member, thought it was time for a mascot to be adopted. After reviewing several costumes, the skunk was chosen.

Martin said the partnership between Partners in Education (which coordinates AISD volunteers) and KAB is strong and their main focus is on three areas: litter prevention, recycling and beautification.

A flyer was created to announce the "Name the Skunk" contest and was sent to those schools already participating in recycling programs through the city's Environmental Recycling Center.

Jill Flores, executive director for KAB, said only those schools participating in recycling were eligible to submit names for consideration.

Flores said the goal was to choose a cute mascot and not something scary. The skunk costume was chosen for its appearance and because skunks are so common in this area.

Martin said principals and students are excited about the contest. She received numerous phone calls from administrators after e-mailing the flyer to the schools. Each school is allowed to submit one name, which will be voted on at the March 4 KAB board meeting. The deadline for submitting names is Feb. 20.

The school whose name is chosen will win a prize worth $1,000, which will be used toward a beautification project at the campus.

After the skunk is officially named and announced, the mascot will be used to promote the areas of litter prevention, recycling and beautification. Flores said the skunk will be visible in many areas, such as education settings, ArtWalk and local parades.