Student makes a difference for the
environment
Hunter Huss student finds a way to make an environmental
difference at school
Be the
change you want
to see in the
world. That’s
the attitude Aliya
Wilson, a senior
at Hunter Huss
High School,
believes in.
So, when she
needed to find
a project for the
Family, Career,
and Community
Leaders of
America (FCCLA)
club, she
wondered what
she could do to
make a difference
at her school.
Deciding to become an environmental ambassador, Wilson saw the
option for water bottle filling stations listed on the FCCLA website. She
knew that by installing a water bottle refill station at Hunter Huss, she
could help cut down on the number of water bottles that needed to be
recycled.
Almost a full year later, Wilson got the funds for the fountain donated
and had it installed in a main hallway where it is accessible to students.
Just several months into the school year, there have been 2,000 water
bottles refilled.
“It makes me happy because I know it’s getting used,” Wilson said.
“The fact that we’ve hit 2,000 water bottles already, and it’s not even the
middle of the year is awesome. I want to keep going. I want to hit 6,000
refills by the time the school year is over.”
Her efforts aren’t just being recognized in her school. Taking her
project to the FCCLA competition, Wilson’s water bottle station earned
her first place in the state competition and third place in the regional
competition. She says that making a difference can be easy to do.
“Just do what you think will help,” she said. “For me, I love our
environment so I knew I needed to do something to help with that.”
Before she graduates in June, Wilson has another goal to achieve.
“I’d really love to get a second refill station installed,” she said. “Or at
least get that going so someone can continue to work on it.”
After graduation, Wilson plans to continue working toward a job in
the culinary arts, a Career Academy program she is involved in at Hunter
Huss. She believes that her project for FCCLA will help her in the long run
in her career.
“I would love to work at a no-waste restaurant,” she said. “I love the
environment, and I love to cook so I would love to see those things come
together.”
4 • March/April 2019 • Parent Teacher Magazine