Can you hear the Eco? CLEO (Creative Learning and Engagement) Institute Youth Task Force is a Pinecrest-based organization determined to promote environmental and climate change conversion among the youth in our society. To implement the green initiative into various student organizations, CLEO has associated itself with the Pinecrest Youth Advisory Council to incorporate its values to all five schools in Pinecrest.

Hunter Nash, senior and current Vice President of Student Council, placed his objectives on implementing much-needed green initiatives into clubs in our school.

“I will be working with the Pinecrest mayor Cindy Lerner and CLEO founder Caroline Lewis to create the criteria for a ‘Green School’ and to award a prize to any school that meets the requirements, firstly Palmetto,” senior Hunter Nash said.

Every club has a monthly requirement known as “CLEO Component” to include in their monthly meetings. In September, the school initiated a battery collection drive during which clubs collected used batteries to be recycled. The goal of this project was to reinforce the idea that students should apply the values of Green-Initiative in their everyday lives.

“It will help the environment because we recycle the chemicals and materials used in batteries rather than let them go to waste,” junior and vice-president of Interact club Stephanie Levine said. “One person may not make a difference as big as a whole school can make by mobilizing together to help the school environment.”

Student Council is undergoing a process of creating a CLEO Council in which three students will be selected basedto represent Palmetto as leaders of the Green Initiative.

On October 24, an Environmental Fair will take place under the supervision of biology teachers Ms. Patricia Valois and Ms. Amy Leonard. It will feature members of local institutions such as CLEO, Zoo Miami and Everglades who will have booths set up geared with environmental activities that will help educate students. Several Palmetto students will also have booths set up at this event as well.

“The community agencies are here to raise environmental awareness and give students to take part and volunteer,” Ms. Leonard said.