Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

During my junior year of high school, I learned about the Green Cup Challenge. The challenge is a collaborative effort of schools across the country to reduce energy use for one month. Being the tree-hugger that I am, I decided my school needed to participate. Culver (my high school) requires every senior to do a senior service project. It was the perfect opportunity to get support for my initiative. I organized the program at my school, and showed an environmental documentary â€œThe 11th Hourâ€ to several science and humanities classes. As a final inspiration to students and faculty, I worked with my school to bring an environmental speaker to an all-school meeting.
At a boarding school in the middle of cornfields, we call our world â€œThe Culver Bubbleâ€. Weâ€™re so confined and follow such a strict routine that we often forget to look at the bigger picture. My project was a way to look outside of our routine lives and see the real world. Academia is important, but itâ€™s even more important to connect with others and make a difference. A real sense of accomplishment comes when someone steps out of their comfort zone to make an improvement. Even if itâ€™s just studying by sunlight and unplugging unused electronics, little things add up to increase self-worth, create a better sense of community, and make a change in the climate crisis.
I worked closely with Culverâ€™s environmental club, Greenlife. I presented at meetings, and the support of members was key to the success of my project. The group offered ideas and suggestions, and volunteered to help out when manpower was needed. They respected the environmental speaker so much that theyâ€™re asking him to donate a tree to be planted on campus on Arbor Day.
My project supervisor personally ordered 2 copies of â€œThe 11th Hourâ€. I spoke to humanities teachers, science teachers, and the science department head to urge them to show the film. I heard a lot of positive feedback from students and teachers alike after watching it. This was an important motivator, and even more influential because the challenge provided an immediate outlet for inspiration.
This initiative certainly didnâ€™t end global warming, but a grassroots approach shouldnâ€™t be taken for granted. Students make a difference, the school makes a difference, the group of schools makes a difference, and eventually we see a difference on our planet. Chances are someone at Culver will be influential in their future, and inspiring that person now could make a huge impact. In my opinion, there is no initiative too small as long as it is fueled by enthusiasm and encouragement.
My project has given me such a sense of purpose. Problems exist out there, and people need to find solutions. I want to be one of those people. Iâ€™m grateful to my initiative for giving me direction, and clearing the haze that used to hang over my future plans. Whether itâ€™s working for Greenpeace or organizing tree-planting days with Girl Scouts, I want to help our planet, and help others do the same.
Iâ€™m incredibly proud of my project, and I hope you like it, too! This is a link to the website I created, which has all information about and documentation of my initiative: http://student.culver.org/~hugginp/leadership/index.htm