As the leaves begin to change color and fall off the trees, the Environmental Club of Jesuit turns over a new leaf as well. This year, there are many new changes such as leadership, plans of action, and community service opportunities.
Two members of the club have taken command as the generals of this fine group, Co-Presidents Chris Steiner ’12 and Will Wood ’13. They will be accompanied by Vice President Austin Whitaker ’12 and Secretary Daniel Jang ’12, who will put new ideas on paper and make sure they happen.
Assisting them will be Mr. Andrew Armstrong, a theology teacher, and Mrs. Kelli Mattacchione, a math teacher. In an interview, Mr. Armstrong commented on the specific emphasis on the student leadership of the club, saying: “The Environmental Club is a student-run club which should give the students a lot of freedom and responsibility to learn to be both leaders and followers.”
This year, many of the members are thinking of new ideas for the club to make not only the school a better place but also the wider community as well. Co-President Chris Steiner wants more recycling containers that are specified for certain materials such as glass, aluminum, plastic, and paper.
In addition to creating a “green” environment around school, Chris Steiner said, “The new recycling bins we are hoping to get are very cool and will look great in the hallways around school.” Chris is also planning to create environmentally friendly green colored ties for students to wear to show their support, with the profits going to the club to assist them in their efforts to make the world a better place.
Most importantly, members of the Environmental Club are trying to spread the word about the current issues of the environment. In an interview, Will Wood said that the club plans to participate in Aware Fest, an annual festival at school dedicated to current issues, where they would publicize environmental issues.
The club also wants other members of the Jesuit community to get in on the action and help the environment through community service opportunities such as picking up litter around White Rock Lake, home of the Jesuit Crew team.
The Environmental Club’s ambition and progress are driven by the passion of the young student leaders, and Mr. Armstrong has high expectations for the coming year. He ended my interview with him in a closing statement: “These young Jesuit men don’t join to learn about the issues but to get involved with the environment. They have what it takes to be leaders, and they want their voices to be heard.”
