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Theodora Kourvaris and Danny Connolly
12 minutes ago
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — In high school, you probably learned about all kinds of topics. But students at a central Illinois high school are turning their project into policy and taking it all the way to the state capitol in Springfield.
Paul Ritter teaches environmental science at Pontiac Township High School, but he also teaches civics classes to his students.
“I have the best job in the world. I get to work with kids who have incredible passion for our world and want to make real and lasting change.” ” he said. “It’s economically and environmentally sound.”
He said the students were doing great work in their classrooms every day, turning their projects into bills.
In 2021, students in Ritter’s class worked on legislation that would eventually become a task force aimed at conserving 30% of Illinois’ land and water by 2030. Another group of students then wrote a report summarizing their results.
Emily Collins was one of the students who testified in 2021. Three years later, her sister Paige and another student, Bailey Stratman, are continuing their vision.
“We are taking steps to make a difference for future generations,” Stratman said. “We are bringing together different organizations to work together to reduce the economic impact and also reduce the harmful impact on the environment.”
They testified before lawmakers and passed the resolution unanimously.
“At that moment, I didn’t know what was going on,” Page said. “When I think about it afterwards, I feel like a sacred cow.”
Their resolution calls for the creation of a council that would include state agencies and other organizations to implement the task force’s resolutions, allowing Pontiac students to continue to have a seat at the table.
“Everyone walks into this building and thinks, ‘Oh, I’m here to take a tour,'” Ritter said. “These people, these students, these kids, these change-makers, they’re not here to tour, they’re here to make change.”
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