Environmental Leadership Summit

From left to right: Shina Williams, Justin Jones, Zion Thomas

On Friday December 4th, 2015, three Rainier Beach students attended an environmental leadership summit at Seattle Chamber of Commerce Suite and talked about ways to improve our planet and how we can make is a more sustainable place for the future. The three students that went were Shina Williams, Justin Gabriel, and Zion Thomas. There were many workshops, but only few to attend to due to time’s sake. One thing they learned about was “green grub,” incorporating vegetables and fruits to our school’s garden. Students can plant all kinds of vegetables like beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and kale. It’s a great way to be active and to be healthy. This is such a better and cost effective option than eating at McDonalds, Burger King, or other fast food places. When students plant and grow food and eat it, it’s more satisfying than eating a burger and feeling bad afterwards.

Another workshop these students attended was “citizen science.” It’s mainly about what to eat and what not to eat. It’s mainly about fish and seafood watch. The reason for being careful about where seafood comes from is because some fish are caught in nets and in the nets catch more than fish like sharks or jelly fishes. Also some fish are genetically farmed and modified which can be a bad thing. There might be toxins in the fish we eat that could be bad for us. We just need to start asking where our fish came from and how it was caught.

Overall, the Leadership Summit was a fun experience and a really inspiring day to meet other high school students around Seattle. There were students from Ingraham, Vashon, Garfield, and many more. Afterwards Justin, Shina, and Zion met two women and they talked nonstop about college and received great advice about what to do when they graduate from high school. It was really inspiring to hear from them and an unforgetful moment that will carry around with them.

Also, students should join the GARDEN CLUB!!! The meetings are every Monday from 3:00pm-4:00pm in the courtyard. It’s a great experience and students gain service hours for it!!! Talk to Ms. Nyquist for more info.