Testimonials

The Environmental Youth Summit changed the way I teach!
Adam Hovey, teacher, South Park High School

This program reminded me that there still are students who care!
Teacher

This Summit was really fun!  I learned how many steps there are in coming up with one main idea in helping our environment.  I thought it would be really cool if in the future the schools could come together and help one another out on their projects.
Student – Alden High

I really liked how everyone got involved on how to help the environment
Shawna Mault – Alden High student

This Summit has really encouraged me to take part in activities at our school and to help myself by helping the younger generation clean up our world.
Derrick Parmer – McKinley student

My experience from yesterday at the Summit wasn’t what I thought if would be.  I thought it would be strict and formal, but I realized that everything was very open and every idea mattered.
Shayne Tracy – Alden student

(On being a “Change Leader”…)  Be a person who doesn’t look for praise in doing good deeds.  Do them for fulfillment of duty to others.
Arielle Reed – Park School student

I will not let the negativity or apathy of others discourage me.
Tammy Giancola – Park School Teacher

(Change Leadership…)  I learned how to be a better school President.
Abhinav Nangia – Park School student

I learned to have faith in myself.
Lyman Munschauer – Nichols School student

I thought this whole idea was GREAT!  I realized how big of a difference just a few people can make.  I’m very excited to get started on the projects we’ve created.
Courtney Lindsey – Alden student

It was fun to work and meet new people.  I’m excited to educate people about the world’s problems and to have the T-shirt contest.
Becca Sivecz – Alden student

I have learned that the CPS process is flexible and effective.  

Being here reminded me that being in a group and working together really helps and that I don’t always have to de everything on my own.  I can lean on others for support.
Josh Kowalski – Alden student

I think it was fun working with different people from different schools that all have the same environmental issues that they care about as much as we do.   
Megan Chester – Alden student

(On “Change Leaders”…)  The power to change is within, hard to harness, but once released…WATCH OUT!

I really enjoyed this session.  It opened up my mind to thinking outside the box.
Adam Reid – Park School

I learned the power of groups of motivated people.  I love the networking – the idea of working together and supporting each other.  I love the positive energy!
Kelly Spurlock – Canisius High teacher

A Change Leader follows their hearts and stands behind their passion.
Andrew Dearing – Canisius student

I was able to see how to really creatively think out of the box and enjoy all of the brilliant ideas from the other people in our group.
John Myers – Canisius student

I was able to not only learn about new problem solving techniques, but also take away new ideas from people who share the same values…on the environment as I do.  The Summit creates an opportunity for our school to become successful in “green” ventures.
Michael Olek – Canisius student

I learned how to solve environmental issues in unorthodox ways.  CPS (creative problem solving) helped me turn dead-ends into great ideas.
Michael Szymoniak – Canisius student

I learned that in order for something that I want to take place, I have to speak up because nothing will get accomplished if I just sit back and say nothing.
Verlen Davis – South Park student

We had to think things through well enough to increase the probability of success.  It’s hard work, but a team – with their combined energy and talents – can make the task easier and more fun.
Pam Szalay – Graduate facilitator

Support what people say!  Be Positive!  Don’t worry about the negative people.
Dan Dore – Graduate facilitator

Yesterday, after hearing Dave’s speech (on Change Leaders), I went home and thought about it.  At first I couldn’t decide on what to do.  Then, I realized I really DO CARE about the environment.  Because of Dave’s speech, I know that I am now going to start being 100 times more dedicated to the Bailey Peninsula project.  I really think that we can make a difference
South Park student

Humor aides creative thinking!
Jen Reukauf – Graduate facilitator

I found the conference made me much more optimistic about how involved young people are in solving long range systemic problems.  Their language, interest, plans and goals are wonderful.
Burgard High School (Teacher)

There was a huge amount of encouragement and support for the students and their ideas.  I really like the positive direction that the summit had, I feel like it kept the students excited and motivated.
Burgard High School (Teacher)

I learned that small groups of people can make a big difference even from the simplest things.
South Park HIgh School student

I found that we have more power than we think and it's not always about me it's about us...
South Park High School student

I found that this summit helps us to really evaluate goals and make them manageable and do-able.
Sacred Heart Academy student

I think that this summit is just what our school needed to get its program off the ground.  We finally got organized, all thanks to this summit.
Sacred Heart Academy student

For me the tools I learned to help organize my ideas and plan projects will continue to apply to other aspects of my life as well as environmental topics.
Mount Mercy Academy student

Our facilitators were wonderful.  They walked the walk, and talked the talk.  They got everyone involved and sharing.  The students were empowered - more productive than a month of meetings.
Mount Mercy Academy (Teacher)