An essay written by two Sacred Heart Elementary School Green Team members has won the school $25,000 worth of computers and electronics.

Sacred Heart was one of 20 schools across Canada to win in the essay contest sponsored by Staples.

Debbie Benedet, teacher and Green Team leader, said the school worked with Midland Staples to purchase the value of the prize.

"This technology will be implemented into all the classrooms next September," Benedet said.

Last fall, Grade 8 students Fiona Murton and Megan Giesler submitted a 300-word essay on the topic: What has your school done for the environment?

Benedet said that after deciding to enter the contest, the Green Team looked through the portfolios that are submitted annually for evaluation to the EcoSchools organization.

"They were amazed at what had been done over four years. They lumped the activities into categories, then Fiona and Megan volunteered to write it all down,"?Benedet said.

"There were many editing sessions with the whole group. Finally, Megan and Fiona polished the essay outlining what Sacred Heart has done for the environment and submitted it to Staples,"?she said.

"We were not only delighted that the work of the school's Green Team members has been recognized by Staples, but that the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has presented the school with its fourth Gold Eco award,"?Benedet said.

"Sacred Heart's Green Team does a lot, but they couldn't do it without everyone in the school - staff, parents and students - working together," Benedet said of the school's success.