By: Ainsley Northrop

Editor-in-Chief

As its first year as a peer-to-peer group, LGHS’s revamped Green Team aims to encourage student and community awareness and involvement in environmental protection. Whether bringing trees into the Los Gatos community, educating underclassmen, or advocating for the environment within the district and city council, this 16-person, student-led group promotes environmental sustainability at every chance.

Led by LGHS seniors and co-coordinators Mina Nakamura and Kyra Cherlopalle alongside their advisor, AP Environmental Science and Biology teacher Amelia DeLaPaz, the Green Team made the switch from Environmental Outreach Club to a peer-to-peer group at the beginning of this year. Cherlopalle explained, “Becoming a peer-to-peer group was initially a suggestion from Ms. DeLaPaz and [Zasu Mazzaferro]…We [wanted] to have more solid funding and be more established around campus.” Now a peer-to-peer group, the Green Team is excited to have increased teacher and administrative support along with a larger platform to affect LGHS and the broader community. Cherlopalle, who has been a member since her sophomore year, reiterated, “It’s a foundational year for us, and we’re hoping to set some yearly events that will help the longevity of the group.” Currently, the team meets every Tuesday during lunch to discuss environmental issues and brainstorm ways to promote local sustainability. 

One of the group’s largest past events is their Tree-Plenish project, where students distributed roughly 1000 fruit trees across the LG community to reduce the high school’s environmental damage. Collaborating with Tree-Plenish, a non-profit, team members raised funds from local businesses to give native fruit trees to community members. In the end, the students offset about 15 percent of LGHS’ carbon footprint, and they are currently planning a similar event for this year. 

Earlier this semester, the Green Team visited freshman biology classes to discuss sustainability and environmental consciousness. Group member Ryan Idemoto explained, “When you talk at the school, you’re talking to students, and [they] bring what they get out of environmental awareness towards their home and towards the community…We had to figure out what we wanted to say and make it very interactive…and present stats that really hit hard…so that students wouldn’t get bored.” To do so, members created a ten-minute presentation for which everyone researched, created, and edited. 

For  next semester, the Green Team is creating an agenda to educate and involve students in the environment during Earth Week. Current ideas include hosting a Family Feud game with facts and figures to spread awareness, front lawn activities, and an educational panel on sustainability featuring LG Town Council Member and Vice Mayor Rob Moore. Cherlopalle elaborated: “It’ll be a way to interact with your local government and learn about politics and environmental legislation. We’re trying to cater to more people’s interests, whether it’s games, panels, or something else.”

Come the end of spring semester, the Green Team will hold interviews for new members to replace the current seniors. Cherlopalle concluded, “My personal goal, and that of the seniors, is to set up a good foundation so this peer group can stay on campus for a long time. And eventually, everyone will know that we have a Green Team and that we actually make changes, whether that’s with cafeteria utensils, speaking on the announcements, or something else.”