For East Burke High School's Magic Fuel Bus team, the past nine months of researching and producing biodiesel has paid off in the form of national recognition.
The team placed second in Wal-Mart's "Earth Day Every Day School Challenge," coming in on the heels of Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Ore. Online voters cast more than 22,000 votes over 10-days to name "America's Most Eco-Friendly School."
Judges chose East Burke as one of 20 finalists from among 439 essays. The finalists then submitted a short video documenting their environmentally friendly activities.
Magic Fuel Bus team advisor and science teacher Bob Smith said, "We are overjoyed and extremely proud of these students' dedication, persistence and commitment."
Juniors and seniors Ethan Hull, Nathan Maltba, Kelly Triplett, Mucheng Yang, Nou Yang and Porter Yang with advisor Smith, began in October the daunting task of producing biodiesel. The group had received a $1,000 grant from Rutherford EMC to start the project.
East Burke Principal Rexanna Lowman said, "I'm just very proud of all the students and their work.
"They learned a great deal during this and they actually saw — they did research and saw what worked and what didn't."
Lowman said the community was very supportive of the project, especially during the voting period.
Corvallis won the grand prize of $20,000, but Wal-Mart also gifted the 20 finalists with $500 gift cards. Smith said the school would determine next school year what to do with the money.
Until then, the economic proposal the students drew up for the Burke County Board of Education and the Burke County Board of Commissioners has been delivered, although not presented.
The Magic Fuel Bus team suggested that the county produce its own biodiesel, which will improve mileage and the longevity of buses as well as saving the schools money.
Lowman said the school is continuing to look for ways to keep the high school green by engaging in more student-led projects.
Smith is advising a few of the Magic Fuel Bus team members this summer and fall on projects that could also earn them scholarships for college.
According to Corvallis High School officials, the school consumes 30 percent less energy than every other school built to the Oregon code, and it hopes to consume even less by one day installing solar panels on the building's roof. Its Green Club spearheads a campaign to encourage students to use carbon-neutral transportation by offering incentives to bike or walk to school.
To view East Burke High School and the finalists' videos visit www.earthdayeverydaychallenge.com.
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