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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — In high school, you probably learned about all kinds of topics. But students at one Central Illinois high school are turning projects into policy — bringing them all the way to the state capitol in Springfield.
Paul Ritter teaches Environmental Science at Pontiac Township High School, but he also gives his students a lesson in civics.
“I have the greatest job in the world, I get to work with these kids who have unbelievable passion for our world, and wanting to make real lasting change,” he said. “That is economically sound, environmentally sound.”
He said his students are doing awesome things in the classroom every day, including turning a project into legislation.
In 2021, students in Ritter’s class worked on a bill that ultimately turned into a taskforce aimed at conserving 30% of the land and water in Illinois by 2030. Then, another group of students created a report with the findings.
Emilie Collins was one of those students who testified in 2021. Three years later, her sister Paige and another student, Bailee Stratman, are continuing their vision.
“We’re taking steps to create change for our future generation generations,” Stratman said. “We’re bringing together a bunch of different organizations, we’re having them work together so that we could reduce economic impacts and also reduce the harmful environmental impacts.”
They testified before lawmakers and got their resolution passed unanimously.
“In the moment, I did not realize what happened,” Paige said. “And then after now, I think about it, I’m like, holy cow.”
Their resolution calls for the creation of a council, including state agencies and other organizations to implement the taskforce’s resolution, and Pontiac students will still have a seat at the table.
“When they walk into this building, everybody assumes, ‘Oh, they’re here to take the tour,’” Ritter said. “These guys, these students, these kids, these changemakers, they’re not here for the tour, they’re here to make change.”
