7th-Grader a 'Champion of Change'

Saving the planet has long been on 12-year-old Sam Holze's agenda. The American Martyrs School seventh-grader has been taking shorter showers for years to conserve water.

Last year, inspired by Soles4Souls, he led a program to collect used shoes for the needy and developed the idea of gathering used school supplies and donating them to schools, to recycle the supplies at the end of the year.

Sam's actions have earned him recognition from the White House for his dedication to environmental conservation, receiving the "Champions of Change" designation that is part of President Barack Obama's "Winning the Future" plan. The designation "highlights Americans who are doing extraordinary things in their communities to build a better future for our nation," according to a press release.   

Sam was nominated by Grades of Green, a nonprofit group that helps parents and students initiate environmental education in schools, in recognition of his leadership.

• Previously: Nonprofit Spotlight: Grades of Green

Karin Holze, Sam’s mother, said her son wanted to get kids more involved in helping the environment. Last year, after being elected to his school's student council position of safety and ecology, he was able to share his passion for the environment with other students.

Karin said Sam tried to make students' environmental efforts fun by having contests for students who carpooled or rode their bikes to school, with the winning class receiving a prize.

Grades of Green was so impressed by Sam's work that they approached and selected him to be on their kids board of directors. “Sam Holze’s application stood out because he had already done so much at his school in helping the environment and taking a leadership role for various causes,” said Melissa Bailey, Grades of Green’s communications director.

This year at school, Sam is serving as the publicity representative. He has shared his ideas and materials with the new safety and ecology officeholder and plans to publicize the school's green activities in his new role.

True to his principles, when he ran for publicity representative, Sam reused the door hangers he'd created for his campaign the previous year, which were smaller and therefore "greener" than typical, big campaign posters. He also used brown paper bags to advertise and promote his campaign.

Founded as a national nonprofit in 2010, Grades of Green’s mission is “to inspire and empower kids and the broader school community to care for the environment.”

Parents can go online to Grades of Green and register their children's schools in order to receive suggestions on decreasing trash, emissions and harmful classroom chemicals.