The CHIEF February 2020

Students Come Together to Change the World

Pontiac, Ill. (Jan 30, 2020) – Over 120 will join together on Friday, January 30, 2020, to change the world through the protection of Illinois land and water. Students will gather at Pontiac Township High School (PTHS) to participate in the 1st Annual Youth Summit hosted by the students of Operation Endangered Species (OES). According to PTHS Ecology teacher Paul Ritter, the purpose of the annual summit is to engage and enable youth to make an impact in their community with regards to protecting 30% of land and water by 2030. He said, “For over a decade Operation Endangered Species has seen firsthand the positive impact that students can have on the world when they come together for the greater good. This summit builds on those efforts and bring together students, community members, businesses, and government officials to discuss and implement the student ideas for the protection of our natural resources.” Participating schools include Pontiac Township High School, Lemont High School, Lockport High School, Seneca High School, Pekin High School, Champaign Centennial High School, and Ramstein High School in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany. During breakout sessions, students from each school will share information about raising and reintroducing endangered species, establishing pollinator plots, securing habitat, testing water, creating public communications, connecting with government officials, building awareness and finalizing the day by writing a state resolution to protect 30% of our Illinois land and water by 2030. Patty Melei, Lemont High School English Teacher, states, “The real power comes from the energy of students collaborating and committing to real action to protect the land and water resources within their communities. Their voices serve as a strong catalyst in changing social expectations and personal behaviors to protect our environment.” This year’s keynote speaker is Baylee Ritter who is an international environmental motivational speaker, Youth Coordinator for the Ocean Project, and founding member of Operation Endangered Species. Ritter is a graduate of PTHS and DePaul University with a major in Public Relations & Advertising and Communication Studies and minor in Environmental Communication. As a student founder of OES, Ritter works around the world to work with youth to protect our ocean resources. In 2011, she helped craft a piece of legislation responsible for generating over $400,000 to fund medication disposal boxes in Illinois. On behalf of OES, she traveled to Kenya, Sweden and Turkey to speak about youth activism at various United Nations events. (Story continues on next page)