Above the Crowd: Meet Ross Fillman

When Cumberland Middle School seventh-grade student Ross Fillman wrote his proposal for his honors English class project, “Change the World in Any Way Possible for the Better,” he planned to recycle plastic bottles at his local YMCA. But only three months into the school year, “his idea has started an avalanche,” according to Master teacher Carrington Light.

Ross’s history teacher last year, Ms. Light found his project to be so impressive, she wrote to “Freeform” to share the story with us. Also impressed, we approached Ross’s parents about his being profiled.

Knowing “Above the Crowd” would help spread the word, they agreed, but asked one thing. “Please don’t make him sound too good,” said his mother Joanna Fillman, with a laugh. “We want him to still have friends!”

But playing down 12-year-old Ross Fillman would be hard to do. His Honors English teacher, Donna Kidder, the inspiration behind the class project, said, “Ross is completely dedicated to everything he does. He excels at all the activities in which he participates. There are always outstanding students we are blessed to work with every day, but Ross is outstanding even among those students.”

Dan Albert, the CEO/Executive Director at the Southside Virginia Family YMCA, also sees Ross’s dedication in action.

“Hopefully what Ross is doing can create an awareness of the need for more opportunities to recycle,” said Mr. Albert from the spiffy facility opened in 2008.

“We would like to find room outside the Y for a recycling dumpster.”

The son of Powhatan Junior High School eighth-grade math teacher Joanna and dad Kevin Fillman, the men’s golf coach at Longwood University, Ross lives in Cumberland with his third-grade brother Cole. It was while working out with his swim team, the Stingrays, that Ross noticed the many plastic bottles at the Y. “My favorite event is the 100-meter backstroke,” said Ross, standing outside the sparkling pool where he has stationed a recycling bin.

Getting the jump on Donna Kidder’s project, which his fellow classmates have dubbed “Dukes United for Change,” Ross was the first to submit his recycling proposal, and he immediately started to implement his program.

The projects had to be approved by people at the various venues. “I talked to my swim coach, Michael Denise, and meshed ideas with Jennifer Pillow, the ‘Green Team’ leader at the Y., who arranged for bins,” said Ross.

Soon paper juice boxes, ink cartridges, cell phones and newspapers joined the plastic bottle recycleables.

“Twice a week my mother and I take everything over to Steps, Inc., an organization that provides employment to people with disabilities,” Ross explained. “They take it from there.”

As word of Ross’s efforts spread, the Y has been contacted by businesses. “Family friend Matt Hurley of Mulligan’s Sports Grille in Farmville has talked with Dan Albert about recycling glass bottles,” said Joanna Fillman.

“Residents will recycle if they have the chance. There used to be a recycling dumpster outside WalMart in Farmville,” said Dan Albert. “But it’s gone.”

Jonathan Pickett, of the Prince Edward County Recycling Department, was impressed by Ross’s project when we told him about it last week. He explained, “The County offers recycling at seven staffed solid waste convenience centers. We’ll be happy to look at Ross Fillman’s goal of getting a recycling container the Y.”

A few days later, a delighted Dan Albert announced that after meeting with Jonathan Pickett, that indeed in the next week or two, residents will find a recycling container in the parking lot of the Y. “And we’ll haul away everything to Steps,” pointed out Mr. Pickett.

So bottle by bottle, juice box by juice box, Ross Fillman has already made the world a better place. “He has a great head on his shoulders,” praised Carrington Light. “He’ll not only make a difference in Farmville, but beyond—just wait and see!”

If you know of someone who deserves to be recognized for his or her selfless and inspirational dedication and contributions to society, please send your nomination to , Subject: Above the Crowd.