Teens4Green is an award-winning, student-run club whose participants strive to improve environmental sustainability by conducting team projects and promoting environmental awareness in Frisco. This group of 14- to 17-year-olds are concerned about the health and social impacts caused by non-eco-friendly practices.
Initiated by two high schoolers in 2014, Teens4Green was provided supervision to conduct service projects by Frisco Environmental Services staffers. Per a YouTube video that documented those initial group efforts, under the leadership of co-founder Cristelle Meza, they weeded gardens, went to elementary school classes to share tips about recycling and adopted streets to clean up trash.
"The best part about Teens4Green is we're able to attract a diverse group of people because of the range of events we hold and the kind of volunteer opportunities we provide," she explained in the video.
Gauri Pala, one of the original members, indicated in the video that she enjoyed going outdoors to help the environment in many ways.
As highlighted in the video, Teens4Green during 2016 provided environmental outreach to 20,000 citizens, as well as volunteering at 46 events to save the community more than $18,000.
Molly Kinson, Frisco's environmental educator coordinator at that time, said when the club first started during August 2014, they had about 20 participants and it then grew to 300-plus individuals.
Teens4Green is a recipient of the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards in the Youth Category, an honor awarded by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality.
"Our small differences are going to inspire others, and together, we'll make one big difference," proclaimed Cristelle.
All Teens4Green volunteers are required to register online through Better Impact/MyImpactPage.com. Volunteers must be 14-18 years old and either residents of Frisco or students at a Frisco ISD school. Any attendee not registered won't able to participate in volunteering events.
The city's contact for Teens4Green is Hannah Valentine, who can be reached at 972.292.6516 or hvalentine@friscotexas.gov.