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Press Release March 25, 2008

South High Students Get Excited About L.I.F.E.

March 25, 2008

While most teenagers are concerned with the latest trends, sports, or simply hanging out with their friends, a dedicated group of Torrance students are engrossed in fighting the negative effects of air pollution, and trying to find ways they can reduce its impact. South High’s Landfill Improvement For the Environment or L.I.F.E. Team, has been advocating against the detrimental impact of the Palos Verdes Landfill on the surrounding communities. Their efforts were rewarded recently when the group, led by South High teacher, Joan Davidson, won the Lexus Environmental Challenge. Their extensive project involved the group submitting a 13-page proposal, a Powerpoint presentation, and setting up an eco-friendly website, and became 1 of 16 high schools to be recognized on a national platform.

Currently in the next phase of the competition, the group has entered the “Final Challenge” and is competing to win $50,000 for their school for environmental improvements and projects. Part of the competition requires them to extend their message beyond their school neighborhood into the surrounding communities, nationally, and globally. To help them accomplish this task, Ms. Davidson and the students invited Assemblymember Ted Lieu to visit them so that they could share their eco-vision for their school and community. They have asked Assemblymember Lieu to consider legislation that would create business partnerships that would encourage them in making financial investments feasible for renewable energy sources and green technology. Assemblymember Lieu was very impressed with the L.I.F.E Team and is very supportive of their efforts.

Ms. Davidson has been a proactive voice against air pollution in the Torrance community for many years. Her efforts have brought attention to many environmental issues and she has worked with her students to build awareness in order to reduce the effects of air pollution. “We are at a critical crossroad. The choice facing us is continuing the use of unsustainable, non-renewable energy sources or shift to a clean energy path using reliable renewable energy sources available today,” Ms. Davidson comments. For her students it’s a way for them to participate in creating an environment that they can live in and help preserve the environment for future generations. Student, Jordan Ryan, is Editor in Chief of the South High Yearbook and lends his graphic talents to the L.I.F.E. Team in order to get its message to the masses. “I believe that through taking the initiative to help the local community, I can successfully make a positive impact. My actions can speak louder as a young citizen of Torrance because I will voice the concerns of the next generation of thinkers, movers, and shakers,” comments Jordan.

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