It aint easy being Green.....

We have been working around the clock.... Getting a whole school to go green is no easy task. We have been offline for a while but are back and greener than ever..... I will be adding a bunch more posts in the upcoming days on the Green Progress that we are making here at United. We have formed a Green Advisory Board, Green Committee of students and teachers, started a full-scale recycling program, converted my 1984 Benz into a greasecar that has the ability to run on straight waste oil (from Giant Eagle), formed a EnviroPact for teachers and students, and are working on a plan to start composting food waste from the school caf and much much more....
Watch this video... We are already planning for EcoJourney Part II. This time we bike it in 36 hours - stay tuned.

We ARE back!

Sorry for disappearing for a month or so... We have been trying to get back into the swing of things... We are now working on going green here at United High School. Stay tuned many more entries.....

Back to Work and Ready to Roll Up Sleeves

Just wanted to thank everyone again for their support. The trip was amazing and horrible - if that's possible. But now we are healing up and planning to make some real green noise. We are in the process of planning out the Green Academy for educators -which will be run with ACORE. PFC GreenSpaces will be the main focus of the conference/event. The goal: To get school across the country to join GreenSpaces. Once a member, each school will come up with their own green plan and use the online community to share and collaborate with schools across the country. Stay tuned.

WE MADE IT!!!!!!!

12:30 Couldnt have come any quicker....



With Mike Eckhart, President of ACORE (and new partner of PFC)



On the balcony of the Speaker of the House's Office... amazing........

Thank you all very much... We must now roll up our sleeves and get busy. We will be launching the Green Academy for principals across the country in partnership with ACORE in the near future as well as growing PFC GreenSpaces. Now its time to catch our breaths. Our feet walked us to DC but you guys carried us
Aaron

Harpers Ferry Falls

We have been praying for rain for days.... Thank the lord... We made it to the 60 mile point and we feel much better. We have time to rest and collect ourselves - we are back in (near) civilization. KDKA Radio called today for an interview. And, we are trying to call out the presidential candidates to meet us on the trail - why not??? The Speaker of the House is seeing us on Friday.
We would love to hear their feelings on the energy crisis... finally.
3 days to go. We are at The Towns Inn and its amazing. See you in 3 days at DC.

Back on the grid and within 100 miles

Sorry we lost contact for the last few days.... PAW PAW WV is pretty much in the middle of nowhere and we had no service. We were truly in the wild. We are back near civilization and only 100 miles from DC. Every step is borderline agony and the heat is brutal. The worst part..... snakes. We almost stepped on a timber rattler and a copperhead right on the trail. That would not be good. We have 27 tomorrow and we are will only 75 out. I have never realized how much I took food and water for granted.

NBC Universal Picks Up PFC Walk

Millions of kids across the country watched the video that the United High School Video Prouction class created about PFC. Check out their site.
ChannelOne.com

A Royal Send Off for PFC - We are on the trail right now!

Many showed up to see the PFC Walkers on their way. At 6 am in Meyersdale Pa (from the gorgeous Levi Deal Mansion) the PFC Walkers set off for DC: First leg, 31 miles. Trail Update - WE MADE IT to Cumberland Md by 8 pm - only 64,008 steps. The Bruce House Inn met us with a wondeful dinner. Thanks Pam.
A special thanks to the Secretary of Education (Dr Zahorchak) for calling at 6 am sharp for a farewell sendoff and a re-partnering with PFC. When we return we will be meeting with Dr. Z and Governor Rendell.
We will be back to the journey heading to PAW PAW in the morning. Email us on the trail.

Levi Deal Mansion Greets PFC

A special thanks to the folks at the Levi Deal Mansion. This is hands down the most impressive restoration projects that I have ever seen. Mr. Fred Dixon has turned a rundown abandoned eyesore in my home town into a world class historic American beauty. Meyersdale Pa has really taken to the “restoration craze”. We are proud to be here. In the morning, we walk…… Day 1. Cumberland Md here we come.

FOX/ABC Teams With PFC

FOX WWCP/ABC WATM makes a huge committment to PFC. After a brief meeting with these amazing people, they agreed to the following:
1. Posting our interactve Google map on daily news broadcasts - this map will show exact PFC location along the C & O Canal. We will update it via GPS. This can also been seen on our homepage during the trip.
2. Having us call the station with trail side reports.
3. Agree to producing and airing The Green Minute. The Green Minute will be a weekly news update given by me, on the air. In the news report I will tell the community how they can "go green" in a very practical and effective fashion.
4. Donate directly to the PFC non-profit fund.
This is amazing and PFC personally thanks Mr. Frank Quitoni,CEO.

If you cant laugh at yourself.....

Justin, the other walker (that's what we call him) decided to poke a little fun - at ourselves.... This is what happens when people have too much times on their hands.
Please watch with a sense of humor... There has been so much going on that we just really needed to take a step back and not take ourselves too seriously.
Enjoy.
If you are having trouble, click here to watch it at YouTube direct.

EUREKA! VegOil Based Fuel Produced In High School Lab

Our first batch of vegetable oil-based fuel is almost ready for the test grounds - my 1984 Mercedes Benz 300 DT diesel. The process was so simple yet so complex. Its all about tranesterification. Yes, drop that term at a party. It's as simple as taking large hydrocarbon molecules (veg oil) and creating esters from them. Once that is completed, the end product (veg oil based fuel) will burn amazingly clean and efficient.. Efficient enough to run a 1984 Benz. Stay tuned for updates. This batch just needs a little bath and its ready for the Benzo. Good job Mr. Whitcomb and Mitch DeRubis.

Laurel Auto Group Donates Hybrid for Trip

Laurel Auto Group of Johnstown PA partners with P.F.C! L.A.G personally purchased a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for the official P.F.C chase car. The hybrid will be driven by Mike Lee, a teacher at United High School. Mike will be waiting at each stop on the C & O Canal with fresh clothes and supplies. Mike will also be doing the tech updates on the website as well as giving constant tech support for the entire trip.

Great P.R. From Local Media

Check out the newest article written by the Tribune Democrat. A wonderful story by Ms. Urban.
Tribune Democrat article click here

Project Green Car Now In the Works: 84 Diesel Benz + Giant Eagle Fryer Oil = Happy Earth

We have officially started our Project Green Car. A team of United High School best and brightest students, lead by Sir Mitchel DeRubis, will work with United's Chemistry Dept in collaboration with a professor from a local university in the field. The team will research the 3 most common ways to use non-hydrogenated oil to run my 1984 Mercedes Benz 300 DT diesel car. The research project has already started, and I look forward to a full report and reccomendation by July 31 (no pressure Mitch). August 1st we will proceed. A special thanks to Mercedes for being ahead of their time as well as Giant Eagle of Indiana PA and Mr Ed Bratton, owner, for giving us an weekly supply of oil from his personal Giant Eagle. Thanks Ed and Dennis Bray, GM.

Overwhelmed.... Just want to thank all those who are supporting us.

So many people have contacted us from all over the country..... But the most important support has come from our backyard - Armagh PA, Indiana PA and Johnstown Pa. The people here are amazing. Our own students and staff at United High School have been our biggest supporters and if no else shows up in DC it will be ok because our families, teachers, friends, and students will. And we wanted to thank the teachers for committing to preparing and bringing us food at each location on the C and O trail. And the students.... they have been amazing. Thanks United and surrounding friends.

PAEE Caught Green Handed

The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators have been green for a long time.... They not only teach green they live green. Thanks PAEE.
Visit their site and tell them hello. they are good people doing great tings.
Click below to visit their site:
PAEE

P.F.C Making a Difference in the Classroom

One of our goals is to make major changes in our own school - United High in Armagh Pa. WJAC TV did this fabulous story today on how our students are not only working to ensure that we make it to DC alive, but also to learn about the human body, more specifically, comparing the thermal/energy efficiency of automobiles and the human body. Teaching Green can occur in any class and any subject. And, if you tie it into with an authentic learning scenario, change occurs.
Click below to view the newest WJAC story on PFC.

WJAC News PFC 5/20/08

ACORE Commits to Hosting P.F.C When We Arrive in DC

Mike Eckhart of the American Council of Renewable Energy has committed to hosting Princpals for Change when we arrive in DC. ACORE will be meeting us at the Reflection Pool at 12:30 on June 13th. This is monumental!
See you in DC?

Cali Auto Group of Palmyra PA Helps P.F.C. with Diesel Benz

Giovanni Cali of Cali Auto Group has stepped up and decided to help Principals for Change. He stated that America needs more people working together to solve this crippling energy problem. Cali Auto Group specializes in Mercedes Benz diesels. Cali donated a portion of the car to our group. He even helped with the first tank of fuel. Principals for Change will be modifying the 1984 Mereceds Benz 300DT so that it can run on vegetable oil based fuel. The used fryar oil will be provided by Giant Eagle of Indiana Pa.
Cali also said that they would donate a portion of all diesel Benzs sold to friends of Principals or Change back to P.F.C. Just tell them that we sent you.
Thanks Giovanni for your support.

Gander Mountain Partners with P.F.C

Thanks to Gander Mountain of Johnstown, Pa for outfitting Principals for Change for the walk to DC.
Special thanks to general manager Bruce Walkovich for supplying some great hiking apparel, goretex hiking boots, weather proof clothing and especially the Anti-Monkey Butt powder, which will come in handy.
Who's greener than Gander?

Giant Eagle Indiana PA Sponsoring P.F.C Walk to DC

Giant Eagle officially committed to providing us food and other provisions for the walk to DC. They have also committed their used fryer oil for our newest project. We are converting a 1984 Mercedes Benz 300 Diesel Turbo to be able to run on vegetable oil. Details to come.

PA Secretary of Education Teams with Principals for Change

Dr. Gerald Zahorchak gives Principals for Change his stamp of approval. In a phone interview today, Dr. Zahorchak teamed up with PFC.
"I am very enthusiastic about what you guys are doing, I give my, and the Departments, full support and partnership to Principals for Change." Dr. Zahorchak.
He also stated that he will try to be at either the trail head in Meyersdale, Pa on June 5th for day 1 or at Washington DC on June 13th for the rally at the DC Mall.

Read todays AP article on the Secretary of Education's endorsement of PFC:
Secretary of Education backs Principals for Change

CNN, MSN, FOX NEWS, Forbes, Washington Post and more look at Principals for Change

The AP article has really picked up some steam. The AP article was picked up by many media sources.
CNN Covers Principals for Change Story
MSN and MSNBC
Fox News
Washington Post
Forbes
CNBC

New Sponsor - Conemaugh Development Corp.

Bob Jones, CEO of the Conemaugh Development Corporation, is shown here making a contribution to the Principals for Change teacher grant program. All money donated will go directly into the non-profit fund established through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
Thanks Conemaugh Development Corporation.

AP Picks Up Story

Some great PR from the Associated Press today on our walk to DC and our Teacher Green Grant Program. Check out the article from the Chicago Tribune.

News Release - AP, Chicgo Review

State College High School Caught Green Handed

Under the advisement of Mr. Paul Heasley, State College High School students (State College PA) will be manufacturing their own bio-diesel in the fall of 2008. Mr Heasley is inspiring other teachers in PA and the surrounding region to think green.

ACORE Caught Green Handed

Another big boy in the race for a greener planet. Great source of everything green. These guys bring together all sectors of renewable energy.
ACORE.org

Press Release

Check out our first media release on WJAC TV.

WJAC News Story

Green Schools Intitiative Caught Green Handed

These guys are the originals. They fully understand that education is the key component to a long-term energy solution. Check out their site for great educational information on the Green Movement.

http://www.greenschools.net/

St. Francis University Caught Green Handed

St. Francis University's Renewable Energy Center, under the direction of Erik Foley, is doing some great things. Their goal is to lead and educate businesses, schools, and communities in the development of cost-effective, environmentally sound energy alternatives. Check out their website and the great work that they are doing in the Loretto Pa area:
St. Francis Renewable Energy Center

Our Walking Journey to DC

We decided that it was time for someone to take a stand. Someone has to do something. We are hoping that this walk will motivate people, especially educators, to be part of the energy crisis solution. Our journey will begin in Meyersdale Pa June 5th, 2008 - 2days after our seniors graduate. We will travel to D.C. via the C & O Canal. We think we can inspire a change, one step at a time. We will be arriving in D.C. on June 13, 2008. Hopefully someone out there shares our concerns and passion. The map below illustrates our journey. See you in DC?


View Larger Map

First Official Post

Just wanted to take a second to say hello. My name is Aaron Steinly and I am a principal at United High School in Armagh, Pennsylvania. Along with my fellow administrator Lewis Kindja(and several great teachers at United High School), I have decided to take a stand for a real solution to the growing energy crisis. We believe that education is the only real answer to the problems that we face today and will be facing for many days to come. To do our part, we decided to start a non-profit fund through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies that will provide teachers grant money for designing and implementing "Green Projects" in schools and communities. Our goal is to begin giving classroom teachers monetary grants by September of 2008. Check out our website at www.principalsforchange.com.
Good people can make great things happen.