White House Recognizes Kids Leading Green Schools Movement

Nathaniel Allen
Associate, Schools Advocacy
U.S. Green Building Council

A diverse group of young people who are advancing green schools within their communities were recently invited to meet with White House officials and offer insight into the role of youth in the green schools movement. Every week, the White House recognizes a group of local leaders who are helping America win the future as Champions of Change, and this week’s award highlights the efforts of student green school leaders who are inspiring larger community action. Visit the White House’s website to learn more about the incredible work of these student Champions of Change: www.whitehouse.gov/champions

All of the student leaders are impressive, but we’d like to particularly congratulate Alexa Boghosian and Matthew Evans. Alexa is a student at the LEED-Silver Marlborough School in Los Angeles, CA, and the founder of Green Teens, a network that works with local elementary schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach students about sustainability. Earlier this spring, Center for Green Schools Director Rachel Gutter spent a day with Alexa, and then praised her work in a later Grist interview about the green schools movement. Matthew Evans founded Discover Green in Pflugerville, Texas, where he organizes youth around broad community sustainability initiatives, particularly through environmental service projects. Matthew is an inspirational teen who is also a previous recipient of one of USGBC’s Young Leader Awards.

The focus of this week’s Champions of Change award demonstrates the tremendous leadership of the Executive Branch in its ongoing commitment to green schools. Congratulations to Alexa, Matthew and all the Champions of Change!