Students learn their voices are heard

A letter writing project at Mt. Scott Learning Centers' Middle School and Freshman Academy proved that student opinions do not always fall on deaf ears – especially at a large international corporation.

Last October students in teacher Aaron Mitchell’s Technology classes read a news report featuring comments from the chief executive officer of Domtar, a global paper company.  In subsequent class discussions, students expressed concern about the environmental impact of paper manufacturing by companies such as Domtar.  Mitchell encouraged his students to voice their concerns through letters directly to Domtar, although he admits he wasn't expecting much of a response.

"I was expecting the kids would get back a form letter, some sort of acknowledgement that the letters had been received and a boilerplate response about caring for the environment," recalls Mitchell.  "I was hoping for some kind of response, though I told the kids that we couldn't expect that, just that they'd had the opportunity to express their opinions and that was their goal - that we don't write to companies hoping to get them to write back (though it's nice when they do)."

The student letters were apparently read and heard loud and clear.  John Williams, Domtar’s chief executive officer, responded to the students’ letters and suggested the possibility of a representative from the Canada-based Fortune 500 company coming to meet with the students in person to answer their questions and concerns.  Williams also provided information about Green My Parents, a nationwide student-led environmental group (one of Domtar’s partner organizations).

A series of emails and phone calls were exchanged, leading to a March 10th assembly at the middle school. Lewis Fix, Domtar’s Vice-President of Brand Management and Sustainable Products Development, shared information about his company and responded to student concerns about Domtar’s new “Paper Because” marketing campaign.  Among the topics covered were sustainable harvest practices and new technologies that Domtar uses to help minimize any negative environmental impact of the paper manufacturing process.  Fix also explained how Domtar suppliers use selective cutting methods that preserve and protect animal habitats. 

Also in attendance representing Green My Parents was the organization’s founder, Tom Feegel, and student ambassador Rudy Sanchez (a high school student from Los Angeles). Green My Parents is dedicated to helping young people become environmental leaders both in their families and also among their peers.  Sanchez and Feegel shared information about the positive financial impact that adopting environmentally-sound practices and products can have for families and schools. 

Many Mt. Scott students were inspired by Sanchez’s efforts and committed to taking his message of financial savings through environmentally friendly practices back to their families. Students also participated in an activity to identify  “Energy Vampires” throughout the school. Energy Vampires are defined as appliances that continue to use power even when turned off. 

All the groups involved were very pleased by the outcome of the event and agreed to work together in future educational endeavors around responsible resource usage.  Green My Parents donated multiple copies of their instructional book, which provides strategies for conserving water, electricity, and gas by unplugging appliances, shortening showers, and driving less. Sanchez and Feegel also invited students to join the Green My Parents  Facebook page to share their feedback on the presentations and their energy-saving practices at home and at school.

Domtar generously donated a full pallet of copy paper to Mt. Scott, which represents more than a year’s worth of paper usage for the school. Additionally, Domtar provided each of the students with gift bags filled with candies, snacks and books that highlighted the wide variety of products the paper company produces. 

"The event was a great success," said Mitchell.  "I really appreciate the way Domtar and Green My Parents stepped up to support our students and help enrich our scholastic community. I think Mt. Scott can look forward to benefiting from a continued partnership with both organizations."

Pictured from left to right: Lewis Fix, Domtar's Vice President of Sustainable Business & Brand Management; Rudy Sanchez, Student Ambassador for Green My Parents; and Tom Feegel, founder of Green My Parents.