In a day and age when more people are focusing on how to better protect Mother Earth from all the dangers she faces, a group of students at Helix Charter High School are doing their part to improve the environment.
Kevin Myron, sustainability coordinator and environmental science teacher at Helix, is putting in the time and effort to get students more involved in their surroundings. The school’s Sustainability Program and Commitment to Power100 is a good example of what good can be done when older and younger minds come together. 
According to Myron, Helix is working towards a whole-school approach to sustainability, integrating environmental stewardship into curriculum, operations, and campus infrastructure. While sustainability efforts have existed in various forms over the past decade, the most significant advancements began in the 2022-2023 school year, when students and faculty initiated a Sustainability Task Force to develop long-term environmental strategies.
Myron also noted that in spring 2023, a team of three teachers attended the Green Schools Conference hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Center for Green Schools. Inspired by schools at the forefront of sustainability, they returned to La Mesa with a plan to embed sustainability as a core principle at Helix.
With the support of administration, Resolution 06-2023 Sustainability was unanimously approved by the Helix Charter Board, directing three major actions:
- Appointment of a campus sustainability coordinator to lead and oversee sustainability initiatives.
- Development of a comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan to guide Helix’s environmental strategies.
- Creation of an advisory panel to support and oversee the implementation of sustainability goals.
This decision led to a strong year of student activism, faculty collaboration, and research in 2023-2024, culminating in the Helix Sustainability Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap for integrating sustainable practices into how we operate, how we teach and learn, how we power, and how we build.
A centerpiece of this initiative is the Student Office of Sustainability (SOS), a student-led organization dedicated to education, cooperation, and advocacy for sustainable changes within the Helix community. The SOS team, made up of student-led committees, plays a central role in carrying out the Sustainability Action Plan by refining Helix’s environmental policies, leading data collection efforts, and implementing long-term solutions to environmental challenges.
“Helix’s sustainability program actively engages over 250 students each year through the Student Office of Sustainability (SOS), Environmental Earth Science courses, AP Environmental Science courses, and the Environmental Club,” Myron stated. “Students take on leadership roles in sustainability efforts, ensuring that environmental action remains a student-driven initiative.”
What is the long-term goal of the program for the Helix campus?
The Helix Sustainability Action Plan, guided by Board Resolution 2023-06 Sustainability, aims to create a healthier, greener learning environment while equipping students with environmental literacy and leadership skills. The long-term goals include:
- Institutionalizing sustainability into all aspects of campus life, from curriculum to building operations.
- Reducing Helix’s ecological footprint, focusing on waste diversion, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction.
- Expanding environmental education and career preparation, integrating sustainability into a new CTE Environmental Sustainability pathway to prepare students for green jobs and environmental literacy skills across job fields.
- Strengthening student leadership and advocacy, ensuring students remain at the forefront of sustainability efforts.
“Helix’s whole-school approach to sustainability goes beyond just reducing environmental impact—it aims to create systemic change by integrating sustainability into how we operate, how we teach, how we power, and how we build,” Myron went on to say. “As a Power100 Champion, Helix is setting an example for how schools can lead the transition to renewable energy while simultaneously empowering students to drive environmental progress. The Student Office of Sustainability ensures that students are not only learning about climate change but actively working to combat it on their own campus. This student-driven movement is building a legacy of sustainable learning and operations at Helix. It’ll ensure that each graduating class leaves behind a campus that is greener, more resilient, and is prepared to address environmental sustainability issues across career fields.”
Students caring about their environment
Speaking of students, several of them were more than happy to talk about the green things going on at school. 
“What I liked most about the sustainability program at Helix was being a part of it,” Daniel Agupon commented. “As a member of SOS, I had the opportunity to help shape our sustainability action plan and contribute to a significant moment for our school. Being actively involved in making a difference was the most rewarding aspect of the program. Being in AP Environmental Science and SOS has taught me a lot about sustainability and has even helped shape my future career path. I learned how organic waste often ends up in landfills, polluting the atmosphere and releasing methane. Specifically, SOS has shown me various ways to make both our school and my own lifestyle more sustainable.”
According to Agupon, he has applied a number of lessons from the sustainability program to his daily life, particularly in composting.
“My dad already composts, but after learning more about its benefits, I became more motivated to help him with the process. Another key change has been becoming more environmentally conscious of my diet. Before joining Helix’s sustainability program, I ate a lot of red meat, but through the program, I learned the importance of a balanced diet and have since reduced my red meat consumption.”
For student Yao “Sorren” Xiao, their favorite aspect of the Helix Sustainability program is how it both inspires and enables students to get involved in meaningful environmental initiatives.
“In junior year, I took AP Environmental Science with Mr. Myron, where I learned about a host of environmental issues, such as the devastating effects of overfilling landfills on wildlife and neighboring communities,” Xiao remarked. “This class proved the importance of environmental education and the need for students to develop environmental literacy. It helped me understand how everyday human choices have far-reaching consequences on the planet. Learning about environmental problems and how people were finding solutions sparked my interest in sustainability – making me eager to combat climate change. Later in the year, my wish came true as I was given the opportunity to join the Student Office of Sustainability, an experience that allowed me to transform my passion into tangible efforts on campus. In this role, I collaborated with my peers and Helix faculty to raise awareness about climate-related issues while developing and implementing sustainability initiatives.”
For Xiao, applying things learned at school outside of the classroom is important.
“Yes, I frequently apply my experiences and knowledge from the Helix Sustainability program to my life outside of school,” Xiao stated. “Learning about the impact of human activity on the environment has made me more conscious of my habits and encouraged me to make more sustainable choices in my daily life. For example, my family has incorporated more plant-based meals into our diet and we’ve made significant efforts to reduce food waste and lessen our carbon footprint. Additionally, I started using public transportation (like the bus and trolley systems) more often and avoiding single-use plastics. Beyond personal habits, I also frequently share what I’ve learned to educate my friends and family – and encourage them to adopt sustainable practices. My experience in the Student Office of Sustainability has strengthened my ability to advocate for change and I’ve learned how to communicate the importance of sustainability to a wider audience. I’ve discovered how to present environmental issues in a way that resonates with others, making it easier to inspire action and spread awareness. I’ve applied these skills to discuss other issues I’m passionate about, like social justice.”
Fellow student Citrus Pacheco, is also learning in and out of the classroom about the importance of taking care of one’s surroundings.
“My absolute favorite thing about Helix’s sustainability program is that it’s a collaborative effect from both students and teachers,” Pacheco said. “Being a student and having so many ideas but not being able to execute them is so hard and really just gives you a headache. Helix has done a great job making sure all voices are heard when it comes to sustainability and I appreciate that effort.”
Pacheco went on to note that there is always something to learn when it comes to how to improve the environment.
“I had never known anything about Sustainability before last year and I’ve fallen in love with it,” Pacheco stated. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to apply everything I’ve learned from SOS in my life since I want to go into Sustainability studies now and make a larger impact on the world. But short-term I’ve applied certain ways to increase sustainability in my everyday life. Things like making sure to decrease idling in my family and educating friends and family. It’s really created an environment of people who are caring about sustainability in my circle, and hopefully I can go beyond that in the future.”
You can learn more on this work on el Helix Charter page about sustainability.
