PORTSMOUTH — Fifteen students at Portsmouth Middle School have been won the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, which recognizes outstanding stewardship projects and positive community involvement. 

The following students, under the direction of Margie Brennan, the district’s K-8 science instructional coach, were honored by the School Committee during its June 7 meeting: Tatum Brennan, Maggie Mullen, Brooke O'Brien, Noah Sidewand, Owen Sidewand, Anabelle Barber, Rowen Willet, Stella McInerney, Aurelius Brockman, Elle McFadden, Elizabeth Lantz, Fiona Sarro, Olivia Purdy, Olivia Almilli, and Cameron Davis.

The award was developed by the president and the Environmental Protection Agency in 1971.

Brennan said the group of students won the grade 6-12 category for Region 1.

“We were told by the Rhode Island Department of Education that we got the highest scores in the country,” Brennan told the school board.

The students will be formally recognized when they travel to Washington, D.C. in August 

“Congratulations, everybody. You do us all proud,” said Emily Copeland, school board chair.