Highland Park and Metuchen were among three high schools in New Jersey whose student teams were honored for their innovative climate action projects in a statewide competition.
Isaac Backenroth, Callum Crowley, Sophie Huttner, Kate Schwartz, and Lily Solomon comprised Highland Park’s team, whose its innovative climate action project won the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge.
Environmental Club members Rowan Brown, Samuel Brown, Jack Gillilandduarte, Arjun Gupta, Dakshesh Katoch, Benjamin Lopez, and Ragav Nellaiappan comprised Metuchen’s team that placed third in the competition.
“These innovative students are to be commended for their creativity and desire to combat climate change,” Senator Patrick Diegnan said. “They have made their school community proud and serve as role models for other students across the state who are concerned about climate change.”
Student teams from high schools and middle schools participating in the statewide competition were tasked with developing and executing a school- or community-based climate action project and creating a digital story video to capture the approach and impacts of their climate project.
Highland Park students focused on reducing food waste to combat climate change and food insecurity. They created a school composting program, collecting 40 pounds of food waste daily for the school garden, and partnered with a local farmers market to repurpose food for a refugee-run café in town.
Metuchen students created an anti-idling campaign to educate the school community on the environmental impacts of vehicle idling through data collection, pamphlets, presentations, and posters. The project’s goal was to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and promote eco-friendly behavior across the community.
The students and their club advisors, James Mokracek of Highland Park and Yoko Kato of Metuchen, were recognized at a recent award ceremony hosted by the Drumthwacket Foundation.
Highland Park ($3,500) and Metuchen ($500) each received a school grant for advancing climate initiatives.
“Every year, it is an honor to host these bright young minds and future leaders of the green economy for the Annual New Jersey Student Climate Challenge Action Project Awards,” First Lady Tammy Murphy said.
“As New Jersey continues to lead the nation in K-12 climate change education, these projects – ranging from planting trees to reduce air pollution and mitigate flooding to transforming a neglected greenhouse into a space for growing local produce – are a harbinger of how our students will tackle the serious threat of climate change. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of our planet because of these students’ creativity and perseverance.”
Atlantic City Electric and its parent company Exelon fund the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge, which was created to foster the growing role young people are playing in addressing climate change.
The initiative builds on New Jersey’s efforts to increase climate literacy among young people statewide.
A panel of judges including educators and representatives from local non-profits, state agencies and the partner organizations selected this year’s winners.
“We are proud of all the participants for providing innovative ways to combat the very real threat of climate change,” said Kristin McEvoy, director of external affairs, Atlantic City Electric.
“Their creative and unique approaches showcased the bright future ahead for generations to come.”
Senator Patrick Diegnan 