Voices for the Future: Everyone Can Make a Difference

By Tristin Bednar, Madelynn Grampp, Megan Wiechmann

Boldness and leadership can be difficult for the younger generations to accomplish as their ideas are not always given the same respect as those of adults. However, this school year, students in the Environmental Earth Science class at Pontiac Township High School have been spearheading innovative projects that showcase the power of youth leadership in environmental conservation and community engagement. We need your help to accomplish more than ever. Here’s a look at what we have been working on.

Reviving Illinois Roadsides with Native Plants

Levi Rients, Abraham Jean Jacques, and Elijah Hartke have seen a problem and are looking to fix it by collaborating with the Illinois Department of Transportation to introduce roadside prairies along highways. They plan to plant strips of plants that are native to Illinois to prevent erosion, enhance driving safety and support local wildlife by reintroducing essential habitats. The group is also working to ensure this initiative does not compromise existing jobs or infringe on private property rights near highways. We want to respect the local wants and needs to fix this widespread problem.

Monitoring Creek Health

Another local problem has occurred in a creek not too far from our high school. Rooks Creek near Westin experienced a nitrogen spill in April 2024. Katherine Borders and Mason Fiorini are addressing the aftermath of the 20,000-gallon spill in the local creek. They are testing water quality, assessing the impact on aquatic life, and partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Specifically, James Dunker, a hydrologist with USGS, has helped us work to make efforts to restore the ecosystem. During our class time, we traveled to the creek to test the water and study our findings. This work highlights the importance of swift action in reducing environmental damage from chemical spills.

Three individuals are working along side a stream. Two young teens are investigating a soil samples. The adult to the right is guiding them. In the background is a grassy stream bank and. — Photo courtesy of the authors.

Introducing Local Produce

Sticking to the emphasis on local topics, Emma Gragert, Myley Remkus and Ruhshona Muhammadrasulova, our exchange student from Uzbekistan, are collaborating with local farmers and suppliers to bring fresh, locally grown foods to our school cafeteria. By partnering with Spence Farm, a local farmer-to-farmer marketing and delivery service, to introduce these local products, reducing food transportation emissions and providing fresher, more nutrient-rich meals. This project supports both environmental and community health.

Honoring Native American Heritage

In class, we also have connections to Native American descendants. Devin Skrzypiec and Hannah Ricketts are working with the relatives of Chief Obwaandi’eyaag, also known as Chief Pontiac, to develop a Native American cultural center on the school’s prairie. This initiative aims to celebrate and preserve Native American history and ensure that future generations recognize the enduring contributions of Indigenous communities. We value the history of the people who came before us and want to honor those who will precede us by giving them space and resources to learn about such local events.

30X30 Initiative

A graphic with text, "Thirty by thirty initiative. Michigan. Vote Yes for SB 1124." In the background is North and Central American in gray scale. In the foreground is the digits "30" filled with grass and another "30" filled with water. In between the two "30's" is a orange and black monarch butterfly. — Graphic courtesy of the authors.

We, Tristin Bednar, Madelynn Grampp, and Megan Wiechmann, are leading our class’s collective conservation project, the 30X30 Initiative, which aims to protect 30 percent of Illinois’ land and water by 2030. This long-term effort has been a cornerstone of our Environmental Earth Science class for many years, involving the creation of legislation, community engagement, and collaborative brainstorming to promote sustainability. On November 4, 2024, our class held a meeting at PTHS and gathered more than 50 representatives from governmental and nongovernmental organizations to discuss necessary steps needed to take to reach our goals. Another meeting will occur in the spring,

Beyond state borders, our class has recently worked with students in Michigan to help them develop their own 30X30 legislation. This cross-state collaboration reflects our mission to inspire conservation and spread awareness about the importance of protecting natural resources. Our efforts are guided by the Native American proverb: “We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children.” This principle emphasizes our commitment to ensuring future generations can enjoy the natural beauty we see today.

We Need Your Help

We believe it is important to show the work of our class to inspire and remind you that there is never a principle or standard to making an impact. There’s no age or business level that qualifies you to change your community, or the world. Many will think and convince themselves of many things to stop themselves from making a change or sticking up for one. Whether you think you are too young, too old, too inexperienced or too well-versed, we promise you that you can make an impact. No matter where you live, there is work to be done and you can make it happen.

The world isn’t as big as it seems and it doesn’t take a ‘magazine-worthy’ revelation to change it. Plant a prairie in your backyard, no matter the size, and watch species of insects flourish in it. Use native plants in your landscaping to preserve their presence over invasive organisms. Look for ways that you can reuse materials that are commonly thrown away. Recycle and compost as much as you can to lessen garbage in landfills. Little actions such as these can make a big difference in your community.

At a post office, two piles of postcards rest on the counter in front of a post office clerk. — Photo courtesy of the authors.

It is also important to mention that having a supportive group is extremely beneficial to making an environmental change. For example, Paul Ritter, our teacher, encourages us to dream big when it comes to change, and he helps us every step of the way to make sure that we have the resources to go as far as we can. People like this are so important to success because they are individuals you can fall back on when you need assistance or motivation.

To the adults reading this, we encourage you to involve local youth in your approaches to progress as you may be surprised by their ideas and perspectives. The value of integrating efforts such as ours into other schools and curricula are key to growing our efforts. From a young age, teach youth how and why it is important to care for the environment. Guide them in researching small, hands-on, activities that they can do to nurture their curiosity. The younger generations are the future of our world, and their experiences and beliefs are crucial to making a lasting impact.

As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” As you age it is important to realize how important you are, and that it is never too early to make an impact. Teenagers are the adults of tomorrow, but also the leaders of today. Take full advantage of the youth in your life and find people who are willing to help and listen to your ideas.

Tristin Bednar is a junior at Pontiac Township High School with a passion for nature and a strong commitment to environmental conservation. He is actively involved in both FFA and 4-H, where he works to promote agriculture and community engagement. Bednar enjoys connecting with others and thrives in social settings, always eager to build relationships and make a positive impact.

Madelynn Grampp, a junior at Pontiac Township High School, is passionate about creativity and making a difference in her community. Outside of her studies, she stays active by participating in church, band, choir and drama club. Her favorite quote, from 14th-century poet Hafiz, reflects her appreciation for the beauty of nature: “Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky.”

Megan Wiechmann is a junior at Pontiac Township High School. She is involved in band, choir, dance and 4-H, among other things. She loves to spend time with her friends and family and to be outdoors, especially near a beach. She is strong-willed, passionate, and believes in the importance of leadership. Wiechmann is dedicated to helping the environment with the help of those around her.