As part of the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation's Think Green Month, powered by Juhl Wind, Inc., students from De La Salle and Gordon Parks high schools were recognized as Think Green Heroes in the Making during last night's game against the Grizzlies at Target Center.
These students participate in Students in Action, a free high school initiative of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, and have worked to address environmental concerns that are important to them.
At De La Salle, students have been developing an organic food recycling program. This project will make their school community more aware of its impact on the environment while helping reduce the school's food waste.
"It's been a big green initiative," De La Salle student Kay Sheehan said. She said the school has also integrated iPads into their learning, "which helps reduce a lot of our paper use."
At Gordon Parks, students have been working to acquire an unused green space and turn it into a community garden and outdoor learning lab. This park will eventually serve as the only true public green space in over a half-mile radius.
"We're also expanding our curriculum [by adding] agriculture," Gordon Parks student Daniel Denham said.
Timberwolves president Chris Wright presented the students with an autographed team print on-court during the game. Students from both schools were excited to be recognized.
"It shows that [the Timberwolves] actually care; they're not just a thing we watch on TV," said Gordon Parks student Tanisha Brandt. "They're in with the community and they care about young people."
Sheehan said it's exciting that high school kids are making a difference in their communities, and that it doesn't need to be adult-led.