Five Central High School students have landed a $10,000 grant from the Lexus Group for their groundwork in beginning a composting program at their school.

The students were one of just 16 teams across the country – and the only high school group from New Jersey – to win. Each student will receive a $1,400 scholarship; the remaining $3,000 will be split between adviser Carolyn McGrath and the high school. McGrath said both monies will be combined to purchase an outdoor composting system.

To win, the students had to implement an action plan to address an environmental issue important to them. The students, all members of the school’s recycling club, selected composting as a way of reducing the school’s waste stream.

In researching their project, grant authors Erin Henry and Shelby Veazey, both seniors, met with numerous eco-minded interests, including Mercer County horticulturist Barbara Bromley, the Master Gardeners of Mercer County, local organic food advocates as well as food service manager Tony Kowalak and district facilities director Norman Torkelson. With Kowalak and Torkelson, both of whom are enthusiastic supporters, the students brainstormed ways of maximizing the amount of compostable cafeteria foods.

They also researched different composting technologies, including one using worms, and options for disposing of the nutrient-rich end-product. The hope, say the students, is that it be used on student-tended gardens at CHS.
 
In addition to Ms. Henry and Ms. Veazey, the students include seniors Brooke Shaffer and Matt Martin and freshman Julie Henry.

In a week-long trial organized by the students last month, more than 100 pounds of fruit and vegetable scraps were collected at the CHS cafeteria. Organizers were pleased with the results, saying the volume was a manageable amount for a start-up, student-run system. To stimulate peer interest and cooperation for the test, the students made a five-minute video promoting the benefits of composting. The video aired in every classroom during homeroom. They also hung posters throughout the school and made multiple presentations to students, faculty and administration, including interim superintendent Thomas F. Butler.

Students and school administration are still discussing site options, according to McGrath, but the preferred location is within one of the school’s outdoor courtyards. An on-site system will sustain student interest in the entire process, start to finish, and also serve as a valuable learning tool for science classes, believe project organizers.

With the $3,000 in grant funds set aside for the composting system, the students are leaning toward buying 11-cubic-feet, rotating-drum systems, said Ms. Veazey. The systems are considered the most efficient and have none of the rodent issues associated with other systems, she explained.

The grant was funded through the Lexus Eco Challenge, a contest launched by the automaker last year to inspire middle and high school students to learn more about the environment and take action to improve it. The winning CHS proposal was part of the contest’s “Protecting the Land” Challenge. Two other Challenges focus on water and air/climate. As winners, the CHS students are now eligible to participate in the contest’s Final Challenge and a chance to win $50,000.