Green Team MCs Environmental Leaders Summit

Seven Mount Si High School students recently attended an Environmental Leaders Summit at Seattle University. Hosted by the Youth Service Corp (a YMCA youth program), the Summit attracted over 200 high school students from around King County, who are passionate about the environment.

MSHS Green Team Co-Presidents Emily and Leo Mitchell, played a key role as masters of ceremony -- extending a warm welcome, leading the land acknowledgement, and directing the flow of events throughout the day. Break-out sessions for small group discussions covered 24 timely topics such as: “All Jobs Are Eco Jobs,” “Microplastics, Macro Problems,” “Sustainable Supply Chains,” “Climate Justice Upstream & Downstream,” and “Where the Wild Things Are.  Also, 30+ professionals representing Puget Sound-based organizations – from the City of Issaquah Parks Program to the Woodland Park Zoo – participated in the Summit,  sharing internship opportunities and environmental career options.

At the end of day, each student defined 3-4 personal goals to continue the momentum. Displayed on colorful flower petals posted around the room, their commitments showed the collective impact of individual actions. “The enthusiasm was contagious!” witnessed Green Team Advisor and Science Teacher Andrew Rapin.

School clubs, student leadership activities and field trips, like this opportunity, are possible because of funding from our Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. We are grateful for the community’s support of SVSD schools and students.