She's in the 6th grade at St. Vincent DePaul School. Her teacher, Susan Pelliccia, encouraged her to enter the Toyota Agent for Change contest. (In fact, the Grand Prize winner of the contest is also from Mrs. Pelliccia's class!) Here's what K. had to tell us about her winning pamphlet and her future.

QUESTION: How does it feel to be a first-prize winner of the Toyota contest?
ANSWER: I am very excited! It feels great to be a winner in something so important.

Q: What make you think up your idea for the pamphlet?
A: A few weeks before, my teacher had us studying global warming and the effects that burning fossil fuels had on the environment and it interested me. Also, because I like our seasons to be hot and cold–not just hot.

Q: Why is helping the environment important?
A: Because we are all going to be living here for a long time and hopefully there will be many more generations after us. We have a responsibility to take care of the earth for our future generations.

Q: How do you think the pamphlet you created will help others?
A: Everyone can see how the little things they can do in their daily lives can help to save energy and protect our environment. If everyone was conscious of doing these small things everyday then they could save money AND help to save our environment.

Q: How did everyone react when they heard you won?
A: My teacher and principal were very excited and they wanted me to bring in a copy of the letter I received. Also, one of the boys in my class won the Grand Prize, so my principal and teacher were very proud that both of us did a good job.

Q: How can other kids take steps to be a kid leader like you?
A: I think any other kid can do the same things if they just pay attention to what is going on around them and try to do little things that will help to keep our environment clean, like recycling and turning off the lights. It's easy and if everyone does something little, the end result will be big.

Q: Why is it important that kids like you care about the environment?
A: Because we are the future, and we are the ones who need to be educated on how to protect the earth.

Q: Why is it important that companies like Toyota develop new technology like their hybrid vehicles?
A: I think this is very important because the big companies in the world have a very big impact on the environment with their industries. They should try to find ways to keep the world clean and safe because they are also responsible for the future generations and the future of their own companies.

Q: What do you want to do with your future?
A: I think I would like to be a teacher.

Q: How will you continue to help the environment?
A: My mom and dad liked my pamphlet, especially the part about turning off the lights because it will not only help the environment, but will save them money. So I will continue to do the things I have in my pamphlet like recycling, and turning off the lights. But I am very interested in learning about other things to do to prevent global warming and to see if there are quicker ways to get everyone to stop producing pollution, which harms Earth.

Q: Anything else you'd like to share?
A: I would like to thank Toyota for giving me this opportunity and for making kids aware of what is around us so that we can all help to keep the environment clean and safe.