What takes root: students shaping change at Balboa High School
Noticing what’s missing
At Balboa High School, students participating in CYC’s afterschool programming and Eco-Club began with a simple observation: there were limited opportunities for hands-on environmental learning on campus.
Much of what they were learning about climate and sustainability stayed in the classroom, with few chances to engage more directly. Instead of waiting for that to change, they decided to build something themselves. At CYC, this starting point is familiar. Leadership often begins with noticing a gap and choosing to respond to it.
For Emily, a senior, that meant taking on the process of writing a grant. “We wanted to give students more access to outdoor education,” she said. “A lot of what we learn about climate is in the classroom, but not as hands-on as it could be.”
The process took time. Emily worked through multiple drafts and refined the proposal with support from mentors. Over several months, the idea took shape, and the club was awarded $1,500 from Creator’s Circle to support a school garden.
“It felt really rewarding,” Emily said. “We put a lot of time into it. It showed that people believed in what we were trying to do.”
Building something shared
With funding in place, the project moved into practice. What began as a garden quickly became a shared space where students could gather and learn together.
Alan, another student involved in the program, helped organize after-school workshops where peers could learn how to plant and care for the space. “Not everyone has a place to garden,” he said. “This gave people a chance to come together and actually work with plants.”
For many students, it was their first time engaging with environmental learning in a direct way. “It’s different when you’re actually doing it,” Alan said. Through Eco-Club and CYC afterschool programming, students had space to collaborate and take ownership of the project.
Over time, the garden became a place where students could learn from one another and work toward something shared. “Working alongside peers was really motivating,” Emily said. “It made me realize other people care about this too.”
Rethinking access
The project also raised broader questions about who has access to environmental learning. “There are a lot of disparities when it comes to outdoor learning,” Emily said. “We wanted to change that, even in a small way.”
Through the garden and campus cleanups, students began to see how individual actions connect to larger environmental issues. “People can see how their actions make a difference,” Alan said. “Even small things can have an impact.”
What leadership looks like
The garden exists because students identified a need and followed through on an idea. Leadership, in this context, shows up in the willingness to take responsibility and build something others can be part of.
At CYC, leadership is not treated as a single role. It develops through practice and grows in moments where young people take initiative and follow through on what they see. “Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do,” Emily said. “It’s about working together and making something happen.”
What continues
The work does not end with the initial project. The garden will continue to grow, shaped by the students who maintain it and those who come next. “The school will remember us because the plants will still be here,” Alan said.
As we celebrate Earth Day, this effort reflects a broader kind of stewardship. It is about caring for the environment while also investing in the next generation of young people who are learning how to take responsibility for the spaces they are part of. At CYC, that connection matters. When young people are given the space and support to act, they begin to shape both their communities and the environment around them.