February 27, 2002

Environment hot topic for student papers

Central High tenth-graders examine local issues with panel

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
       Local environmental issues are the hot topic for tenth-grade integrated language arts students at Traverse City Central High School. Students are working on an environmental research paper that must include an element from the community.
      On Friday, nine area business and governmental representatives were welcomed as part of the Central High School Environmental Panel. Students asked them questions in their area of expertise as it relates to local environmental issues such as beach erosion, drinking water, renewable energy sources and plastics in the environment.
      Teacher Gina Famiano, who came up with the idea to invite the panel, is excited about the students' response to the project.
      "The research paper has changed from just another paper to something that could make a genuine impact on the environment," Famiano said.
      "Some of the students who never are involved in school work have really gotten involved in this project. It is starting to change the way they look at local issues."
      Famiano was also happy to see the response from the community when students called asking people to become part of the environmental panel.
      "All of the speakers were very excited about coming to speak to the kids. It is great to have a tie in to the community along with the general research the kids are doing," she noted.
      Ken Moore, of Recycle America Waste Management, spoke about today's "throw-away" society and the importance of recycling.
      "I came here to change a mindset. I see it as a social responsibility to speak to these kids, they can be a kind of salvation," Moore said.
      Jim Cooper, of Traverse City Power and Light, shared Moore's opinion on the importance of talking to the students.
      "Light and Power is always interested in talking about what the public is invested in, and how we are using renewable sources of energy," Cooper said.
      Scott Blair, waste water treatment manager for Operations Management International who runs Traverse City's waste water plant, stated that Traverse City residents can be proud to live in an area that has a high priority for clean water.
      The subject of clean water is very much a concern to Casey Sabin who is researching the effects of personal water craft on local waterways.
      "I never knew that jet skis can discharge so much oil. Personal water crafts discharge 15 times more oil each year than the Exxon Valdez did. I ride a jet ski all the time, this has made me think more about what is happening because of it," Sabin said.
      Student Jan Teeter has been thinking more about his environment as well.
      "I started out doing research about endangered species, but the more I look, the more I understand that everything is related. When we help preserve one part of the environment, it makes a positive impact on other areas as well," Teeter said.