Anthony Herdzik
By: Import User
Updated: April 8, 2009
Anthony Herdzik
Grade 11
Eastridge High School
Rochester (Irondequoit)
November 2008- GoGreen Student of the Month
Anthony is at the fore-front of the environmental movement at Eastridge High School- he's the vice president of the Green Team and has headed up a number of projects to launch recycling programs and 'green' renovations at his school. One of his teachers (who nominated him for this award) says he's an 'awesome representative' of what can be done to change the world. We agree! Here, in Anthony's own words, is his GoGreen philosophy.
‘Going green’ isn’t as much a choice as it is a responsibility. Our planet is a beautiful place but it needs our help to keep it pollution free. There are many things that need to be done to protect our resources and limit our greenhouse gasses. It can be a daunting and expensive task, but it’s worth it for us, our children, and our children’s children. Today many people are experimenting with solar cells, hybrid cars, and wind turbines; which I feel are very important. I also believe that it’s going to take everyone’s effort, no matter how small, to stop the damage we are doing to our planet. That is why I make choices every day to do the right thing for the environment. I try to lead by example and educate people whenever I can. At home, in school, and in the community recycling and being green is a priority.
At home my family and I recycle daily. My dad and I changed our normal light bulbs to CFL’s (compact fluorescent lights) that use less energy. I also helped persuade my parents to buy a front loading washing machine instead of a top loader because it saves on water. Energy efficient appliances are important. I choose to buy clothing that is made of recycled materials and organic cotton. I have a metal water bottle that is reusable instead of plastic bottles. I like to use plates made with corn, potato, and limestone instead of paper or Styrofoam. As a family we shop with the Wegmans reusable bags. Watching programs about environmental processes and technologies inspires me.
At school I am a vice-president of the Green Team, which is an organization that promotes green living and recycling at my school. On every other Tuesday we collect bottles from big green bins that have been strategically placed around the school and on Thursday we pick up paper from the teachers recycling bins in their rooms. We also like to educate other people and ourselves about the importance of recycling. We have toured the local recycling center and we are planning a trip to the landfill and a whale watch.
I have been in scouting for approximately ten years where I try to live by the philosophy of leave no trace. This means to leave a place as good, or better, than it was when you first arrived. Scouting has also brought me closer to nature where I learned to love the environment. I plan to go to college to study environmental science or environmental engineering. Hopefully, someday I will be able to make greater changes. But for now, I have to keep on doing the small things and hope everyone else does too.
Anthony Herdzik
