Two Montwood High School students are working to bring awareness about energy issues to El Paso.  Cesar Leyva and Ariana Dobbins were nominated to the Texas Energy Education Development (TEED) Project for the 2006-07 school year.  The two will join other students from across the state to discuss ways to educate their fellow classmates on issues such as conservation, recycling, and helping the environment.

Both are student officers for the project that meets throughout the year.  Cesar is the newsletter coordinator for the project and Ariana is the secretary officer. Along with working with the 14-member student board, the two will also interact with the corporate board made up of professionals in the various energy fields. 

“More than anything I am learning to work with other people and carry myself in front of adults as well as learning about the energy issues that are affecting our world,” says Cesar, who is also on the student council and is a member of the National Honor Society.

The pair will focus on informing students about current environmental issues, such as alternative fuel sources, new uses for recycled materials, and new environmental laws.  Another project the two will work on in El Paso is weatherization, which is the process of making homes energy efficient.  Over the course of doing this project, students learn how to insulate a water heater to prevent heat from escaping, caulk windows and doors to prevent air from leaking in and out of the house. Ariana, who heard about the project from another Montwood student involved with the project last year, is finding out more about the energy issues and how she can encourage others to participate in the project’s various programs.  They are scheduled to go to Austin in February for their next meeting with the student and corporate boards.