Francis Scott Key, Century students to participate in youth environmental summit

UNIONTOWN - Kelsey Allen took charge Wednesday as she and her peers at Francis Scott Key High School worked to transplant 28 American chestnut trees to another location on the school's lawn.

The sophomore made sure her group exposed the root of their sapling and dug it out carefully while participating in the school-wide science, technology, engineering and math project. If the root was broken, the tree could die. She also made sure to discard the grass removed from around the tree and dumped it into a compost pile.

"I love getting down and dirty," she said. "It makes me feel closer to nature."

Allen, an active member of the FSK Environmental Conservation Club and self-proclaimed animal lover, will represent Maryland as a National Youth Delegate to the 2012 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment held at George Mason University from June 24-29.

She is one of 250 students from all over the country who will get the opportunity to take part in an intensive study of leadership in environmental science and conservation. Allen was chosen based on academic accomplishments and an interest in the sciences and conservation studies, according to a school system news release.

Century High School sophomore Erika Eisenacher will also be attending the summit. She has been involved with various conservation and habitat management projects since middle school.

"Environmental issues are something important to me because it's something that tends to go unnoticed to most people," Eisenacher wrote in an email to the Times. "My goal is to make people more aware of the impacts they have on the environment and how a small change can make a big difference as long as people are willing to put in effort."

She hopes the summit will give her more ideas for ways that she can help the environment in addition to making people in the community more aware of changes that need to be made, Eisenacher said.

Those who attend will get a comprehensive look at environmental science, policy and conservation issues and explore careers in those fields.

Allen, who intends to share her views on the environment when meeting with students and officials during the conference, received information about this program after expressing an interest in zoology on her PSAT, she said. In her application to attend the summit, she wrote an essay about how animals and humans are colliding because animals are losing their habitats.

"I definitely think that students need to get more involved," she said.

She recalls watching Animal Planet as a child, which helped cultivate her desire to help animals and the environment.

As part of the conservation club, she helps with several projects, such as planting and weeding native plant gardens located around the school, creating a bluebird trail, energy conservation educational efforts and recycling.

Science teacher Emily Fair said Allen took the personal initiative to apply for the conference.

"That speaks volumes about her commitment to environmental awareness," she said.

Allen does a good job of showing her peers that their choices matter and they can make choices that benefit the environment, Fair said.

"She tries to make sure students know they can make a difference," she said.

Allen said she is determined to do her best to make a difference in the world. Many people don't genuinely listen to environmental conservation campaigns, but that won't stop her from doing what she can to convince people of their importance.

"I just like being part of helping clean up the world," she said.