Bozeman Student Wins International Eco-Hero Award
Claire Vlases, a fifteen-year old from Bozeman, Montana, has been named a 2018 International Young Eco-Hero by the environmental organization Action for Nature, for her project Solar Makes Sense. While a student at Sacajawea Middle School, Claire convinced her school district to invest in solar energy, and then successfully raised the funds to make it possible.
When a school bond included funds to expand Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman, Claire, a student there, decided that solar energy must be part of the project. Not included in the architect’s plans and not deemed feasible because of the added expense, Claire set to work and convinced the school board that she could raise the funds to make solar panels a reality.With their enthusiasm, Claire and fellow students were able to raise $10,000 in just one week. The largest donation came in the form of an $80,000 grant from the Kendeda Foundation. Ultimately, Claire raised the $125,000 deemed necessary, and after some cost savings were realized, she designated leftover funds as seed money for other schools to introduce solar power.
Sacajawea School Principal Gordon Grissom credits Claire with advocacy and fundraising leadership for the solar panels now in use at the school. According to Mr. Grissom the school expects to reclaim the cost of the panels through energy savings in less than 10 years.
“The impact is immense,” says Grissom. “Claire’s efforts cannot be overstated. You will not find another young person with a higher level of integrity, commitment, and passion for all that is good, nor one that will work harder to achieve something for the greater good.”
While she has now graduated and moved on to high school, Claire believes that her contribution will live on at her former middle school. “With almost a thousand people in the school, with more coming every year, these panels should create a legacy,” says Claire. “The solar array is a reminder that anyone can achieve their dreams and their idea of success.”
Established in 2003, the International Young Eco-Hero Awards recognize young people ages 8-16 who are taking important steps to solve tough environmental problems. This year’s Eco-Heroes include 19 youth from nine countries. Organized annually by Action for Nature, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, USA, Eco-Hero Awards are determined by a panel of judges including experts in environmental science, biology, and education.
In addition to the International Young Eco-Hero award, Claire’s solar project has received recognition from many statewide organizations as well as the governor.
More information about Solar Makes Sense can be found at solarschool.weebly.com.
