Earth Day event makes new eco-friends

May 6, 2009 — by Sophia Cooper

A bright blue Tesla Roadster, worth $110,000, graced SHS with its presence on Wednesday, April 22, to participate in the third annual Alternative Energy and Fuel Faire (AEFF).

Organized by the events commissioners junior Sophia Cooper, sophomore Amalie MacGowan, and freshman Mac Hyde and Ryan Evans, AEFF was an opportunity to raise awareness about going “green.” A variety of eco-friendly companies participated, including Tesla, to promote their products.

A bright blue Tesla Roadster, worth $110,000, graced SHS with its presence on Wednesday, April 22, to participate in the third annual Alternative Energy and Fuel Faire (AEFF).

Organized by the events commissioners junior Sophia Cooper, sophomore Amalie MacGowan, and freshman Mac Hyde and Ryan Evans, AEFF was an opportunity to raise awareness about going “green.” A variety of eco-friendly companies participated, including Tesla, to promote their products.

“I was really impressed with [AEFF],” said assistant principal and Events commission adviser Karen Hyde. “We had more vendors than ever before. This year we had the electric cars, the plug-ins, the conversions and solar energy.”

The vendors participated in two shows, one at lunch for students and one in the evening for the entire community. Although few students were interested during the lunch session, the evening received better attendance but still less than hoped for.

“[We had a] better [turnout] than in previous years, but not as good as I would like,” said Hyde. “I always
think we can get better. I would like to see a couple hundred people come to this thing at night.”

In addition to the previously mentioned Tesla, representatives from Magnessan’s Toyota, Stevens Creek Lexus, A+ Japanese Auto Repair, the Electric Auto Association, Horizon Energy Systems and Akeena Solar attended the event to promote going green on Earth Day. Many of the companies have already gained new business opportunities from this event.

“We’ve already had the vendors out to look at the school for solar [power], and I’m talking to my neighborhood about getting one of the other vendors to get us a quote as a group,” said Hyde. “Hopefully there’ll be some business coming to these people now.”

The Events commission plans to organize another event next Earth Day, hopefully with more vendors and increased attendance.

“It’ll always get better, one year at a time,” said Hyde. “[Next year], I heard there’s going to be organic foods and solar cookers.”

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