Several 2021 Highline High School grads are leading the charge to install solar panels on the roof of the new building!
During a pandemic year, Nha Khuc, former Highline High School Environmental Club president, and several other 2021 graduates persisted with their idea to install a 100-kilowatt array with more than 250 solar panels on the new school, which was constructed as solar-ready.
Students networked with local community volunteers and mentors and landed Zoom presentations with school staff, board members and elected officials to raise awareness and support.
District staff collaborated with the students and community volunteers from Sustainable Burien, Spark Northwest and Burien People for Climate Actions to submit the first grant application on their behalf in August to help with part of the estimated $367,000 cost. Staff are helping to prepare additional grant applications, while the students continue to search for grants and to fundraise--they have raised $9,000 so far!
The Highline Schools Foundation set up a donation portal to accept funds raised by the students and community for the HHS solar panel project.
The students told their story to the South Seattle Emerald in this August 16, 2021 news post.
They were also featured by the B-town Blog on December 20, 2020.
From left to right: Rod Sheffer, executive director, Capital Planning & Construction (1969 Highline graduate); Jodi Escareño, Sustainable Burien; Elly-Hien Trinh, Sustainable Burien; Samantha Quiroz; Jordan Powers; Gladis Gallardo; Brenda Gallardo; Selena Nguyen; Nha Khuc; Ruth Assefa; Kim Nguyen; Ricardo Gonzalez Ceja.
Drawing of three solar panel arrays designed for the pitched roof of the south classroom wing of HHS, facing south.
View of the new HHS roof from an April 2021 aerial drone video produced by HHS teacher Jebb Binns.