NEWS

She's only 6 and she will change the world

Kris Wartelle
kwartelle@theadvertiser.com

Amelie Gomez is about to enter first grade and already she is out to change the world. She plans to do that one piece of trash at a time.

It all started with Project Front Yard. And, Martin Luther King Day.

Project Front Yard is the ongoing effort by the city to clean up Lafayette's public and private spaces, one yard, playground and street at a time.

To hear more about the project, The Advertiser sat down with Ameile, who was selected to star in a documentary about trash in the Vermilion River and the problem in Lafayette.

Amelie Gomez, 6, will be working with Project Front Yard to learn about Vermilion River cleanup and conservation. She is pictured Wednesday, June 3, 2015, outside the Episcopal School of Acadiana Lafayette campus, which overlooks the Vermilion River.


TDA: First, how old are you?

Amelie: I'm 6.

TDA: And how did you get involved with Project Front Yard?

Amelie: I was inspired by Martin Luther King. I found out I could make a difference so I decided to clean up the Earth. I saw a bunch of trash on my playground and my friend helped me clean it up. We saw a lot of Band-Aids and there were plastic bags.

TDA: Oh. What did you think of that?

Amelie: It's kind of like being mean to the Earth. Some people don't know that even if the trash decomposes, it can still make the Earth really sick.

TDA: I hear that you are also going to try to help the Vermilion River. What are you doing there?

Amelie: I'm going on a boat and if we spot any trash in the river, there are guys that clean the river. Once a week or, maybe, everyday. I think they are cool because they clean up other people's trash.

TDA: What do you think of people who throw trash in the river?

Amelie: I'd tell them don't do that anymore because the animals can become really sick. I don't think some people know what storm drains are.

TDA: And what about storm drains?

Amelie: They're big things the rain goes into and, when somebody litters, it goes down the storm drain into the Vermilion.

TDA: Wow. How old did you say you are?

Amelie: 6. I just finished kindergarten.

Amelie Gomez, 6, will be working with Project Front Yard to learn about Vermilion River cleanup and conservation. She is pictured Wednesday, June 3, 2015, outside the Episcopal School of Acadiana Lafayette campus, which overlooks the Vermilion River.

TDA: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Amelie: I'm going to be a trash picker-upper. I want to be a person who drives a garbage truck because they empty trash and it's cool.

TDA: How long do you think that will take?

Amelie: I don't know, 10 years maybe. I'm going to take classes. You know how you take classes to be a doctor? I'm going to take classes to be a garbage truck driver. It's the same thing.

TDA: I gotcha.

Amelie: I like the way you write in cursive.

TDA: Thank you.

Amelie: I'm guessing you have to edit that before you put it in the paper.

TDA: Oh yes, lots of editing.

Amelie: It's like in class when we make a mistake on our paper. Can you read that back to me when you're finished?

TDA: Uh, sure. I'll have to check with my boss. But I heard you met Mayor Joey Durel?

Amelie: Yes. He gave me the key to the city.

TDA: What are you going to do with that?

Amelie: I'm going to use it to unlock the door.

TDA: And maybe check up on Joey and see if he is really working?

Amelie: I don't know, that's in the future.

TDA: Ah ha. I hear you. Well, Amelie, one final question. Why do you think people litter?

Amelie Gomez, 6, will be working with Project Front Yard to learn about Vermilion River cleanup and conservation. She is pictured Wednesday, June 3, 2015, outside the Episcopal School of Acadiana Lafayette campus, which overlooks the Vermilion River.

Amelie: I don't know. It's kind of a mystery why people throw trash. Maybe they just don't like being clean.

TDA: But you're going to change all that?

Amelie: Yes. I want the Earth to be clean and I want all the animals to be happy. I like travel and books and it makes me want to travel all around the world.

TDA: Thanks so much Amelie. I know you will do exactly that.


To learn more, check out PFY's website at http://www.projectfrontyard.com. Or call Katherine McCormick at 291-8300.