SAVE wins Air/Climate challenge

Members of Manalapan High School’s Students Against Violating the Environment club (SAVE) won the Air/Climate challenge, sponsored by Lexus and Scholastic, with their Project Blue Sky initiative. The prize from the national contest is $10,000 in scholarships and funds for the school.

Project Blue Sky is SAVE’s action plan to benefit the environment of local communities. In January the SAVE students educated their peers on a three-tiered approach to clean, energy-efficient, renewable resources.

In a series of assemblies, students were informed of ways they can get involved to help the environment. For example, the class that recycles the most batteries will receive a donation of $50 to their class fund, provided by the Blue Sky Group, a national collective of green businesses.

Project Blue Sky was assembled by the students of SAVE to compete in the third annual Lexus Eco Challenge, a national contest that encourages middle school and high school students to develop and implement environmental programs that positively impact their communities, according to information provided by the FRHSD.

SAVE students have already sold hundreds of energy-saving compact florescent light bulbs, and have donated 15 boxes to needy families across the state.

SAVE is still in the running for the Lexus/Scholastic final challenge, which will result in five winning high schools picked out of the 16 winners from the first round. Four schools will win $15,000, while the grand prize is $30,000 in scholarships and school grants.