Heritage Elementary School students in Becky Wingstrom's fifth grade classroom enjoyed a visit from Houston Astros representatives on April 29 after earning the grand prize in the Astros' 2011 Play Green® week contest.

Wingstrom and her students submitted an essay demonstrating their efforts to "go green" by recycling cans, drinking from reusable water bottles, picking up litter, and more.

In recognition of their work, Astros third baseman Chris Johnson, mascot Junction Jack and broadcaster Dave Raymond visited the school and talked with students about their activities. Johnson also read the book Curious George Plants a Tree and presented students with an autographed copy of the book. Wingstrom's students and their families also received tickets to the April 29 Astros vs. Brewers game, and the school will be recognized on the field prior to the game.

The visit is part of the Astros Play Green® in Education school initiative, designed to teach students at an early age about the environment and conservation to assist them in building a lifetime of responsible actions that make a positive difference. The program was named a 2010 Mayor's Outstanding Proud Partner Award winner in recognition of the Astros' efforts to both teach and raise conservation awareness to young students in a compelling, entertaining and knowledge-sharing manner.