MUSKEGON, MI – A young advocate for the environment can now add a merit to her wall.

Zoey Tice, an 11-year-old environmental activist in Muskegon, was awarded a state honor Monday, Sept. 22, by state Representative Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, at McLaughlin Community Park.

“Zoey challenges the community to be better,” Snyder said, reading from the framed special tribute, sealed by the State of Michigan and signed by the governor. “By cleaning up our community, she teaches us all to be better environmental stewards and to care for the world we live in.

“The future is bright with children such as Zoey leading the charge.”

After speaking to the Muskegon City Commission last month and gaining attention on social media, Tice was contacted by Snyder’s office for the recognition.

The sixth grader will also fly to New York City this week to be on the Kelly Clarkson Show.

Tice blushed and thanked Snyder on Monday at the park, while her family members clapped and cheered for her.

“Zoey’s always been the most sweetest, loving and compassionate person,” said Ashley Zielinski, Tice’s mom. “I keep joking and calling her ‘Mayor Tice,’ but it just means the world to me to see that people can come together and do good things, and that there’s still good in the world.”

Tice excitedly showed off the framed recognition Monday.

“It’s very fancy, very official – I like it,” Tice said. “This will be going on my bedroom wall … I’m so excited.”

Tice attends the Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change.

She spent much of her summer vacation this year with her grandmother Charlotte Ostrander; walking, stopping at stores and playgrounds and always carrying a bag to collect trash along the way.

Tice was alarmed by the number of glass materials she was picking up, as well as liquor bottles and vape materials near school properties.

“I would be upset if I had to play in a field of just crumpled papers and plastic bags and wrappers and bottles,” Tice said.

She also noted little bits of trash in the grass that could injure wildlife, like birds or raccoons, and people’s pets outside.

Snyder encouraged Tice to continue her work in cleaning up the community.

“I think it’s important that we recognize folks that are making a difference and leading by example,” Snyder said.

A community cleanup is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the corner of Messler Street and Southern Avenue.

The cleanup was put together by organizers with the Travis Manion Foundation and Tice, and is in honor of Tice’s late great-grandfather, Charles A. Whidden.

The foundation honors and empowers veterans and their families.

Tice has also been selected for a Keep Michigan Beautiful Merit Award, which she will receive on Oct. 3 in Lansing.