ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE THE PODIUM
For Immediate Release:
Teens Speak Out On Environment At Public Forums, From City Hall to Press Conference to National Events
December 7, 2009 - Lawndale, Calif. - Over the past few weeks, students from Environmental Charter High School (ECHS), an award-winning Los Angeles public charter school, could be found at the public podium in front of electronic media, consumers, and political and business leaders - delivering speeches about environmental issues, supporting Green campaigns, and being recognized for their contributions.
Sharing the stage with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 17-year-old ECHS senior Jordan Howard delivered the keynote speech at the 2009 Environmental Youth Conference in November. Howard’s speech, addressed to 6,000 teens energized to change the way they impact the environment, and themed “Start Local, Impact Global,” kicked off the conference of local elected officials, young environmental leaders, and celebrities. The event was organized to promote environmental awareness and responsibility through youth-conducted workshops and networking opportunities with green professionals and environmental organizations.
Later at same conference, 16-year-old ECHS junior Rudy Sanchez joined a panel discussing how he has raised public awareness about reducing plastic consumption with reusable alternatives. With Rise Above Plastics, a program of the Surfrider Foundation, he has delivered more than 35 presentations to over 1,000 people about alternatives to one-time-consumable plastics.
Later that week, as news cameras flashed, Sanchez joined City Supervisor Don Knabe, Assemblyman Zev Yaroslavsky, NBA Champion Luke Walton, and ABC7 Eyewitness News Weathercaster Danny Romero as a press conference speaker. He led city officials, celebrities, and attendees in reciting a public pledge to recycle and reuse plastic bags, helping to kick off LA County’s BragAboutYourBag recycling campaign.
“ECHS trains its students how to speak publicly about issues in which they develop expertise,” said ECHS Founder and Executive Director, Alison Suffet-Diaz. Like other competitive charter schools Environmental Charter High School has a rigorous college-prep curriculum, but what sets the school apart is how it uses environmental issues and action to motivate and inspire its students. Though classes and programs such as its Green Ambassadors curriculum, students work on addressing some of the world’s environmental problems. “The program fosters personal growth and leadership skills to help youth tackle the most critical environmental issues facing our planet,” added Sara Laimon, Founder & Director of the Green Ambassadors program at ECHS.
