A-B Students Honored in National Environment Contest

It's been quite a spring for some eco-minded Acton-Boxborough students.

Earlier this month Acting Assistant Secretary of Education Michael Yudin stopped by the regional high school for a sustainability tour. The Acton school districts were saluted for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics, STEM and green career pathways.

Last week, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the U.S. host of the international Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) program, announced the 2013 middle and high school winners of the Young Reporters for the Environment USA (YRE USA) competition. Among those honored were A-B's Denali Trimble, Dikshant Pradhan, and Kendall Butler, who captured second place in the high school writing competition for "Sustainability at ABRHS."

“We congratulate all the students who submitted entries and thank them for helping to spread the word about environmental issues that are important in their communities," YRE USA coordinator Kate Hofmann said. "We hope they will continue to hone their skills as environmental journalists, a role we believe is essential in protecting and restoring the planet.”

Attempts to set up interviews with the A-B students were unsuccessful.

The Young Reporters for the Environment USA program is part of a rapidly-growing international network of international youth engaged in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). It is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education and currently operates in 27 countries.

Students that participate in the program investigate a local environmental problem or issue, and propose solutions. They document their work and report on it through a journalistic production targeting a local audience.

“This youth environmental journalism program helps to develop participants’ skills and knowledge, enhances communication and citizenship skills, individual initiative, team work, critical analysis, social responsibility, and leadership,” said Laura Hickey, senior director of Eco-Schools USA and YRE USA.