This is a guest post from Rachel Bolton, a member of the Andover High School Environmental Club.

I woke up, convinced that I was sick because the butterflies in my stomach were so bad. I zoned out as I drove into Boston with Candy and Steve, my two adult mentors for a composting project I initiated at Andover High School. I was asked to speak at a conference at Northeastern University about the success of my school’s composting program. Barely hearing their encouraging words, I focused on memorizing the notecards in front of me. Presenting at conferences was new to me, I had never spoken in front of a group larger than a twenty-person class, and even that was scary.

But soon, there I was, the only student presenter at the conference, standing in front of a crowd, with only the images on my powerpoint. As I began talking, I realized that it wasn’t so scary. I had charisma and character, and soon all the words I had memorized disappeared. I just talked. I was myself up there. It was an incredible feeling to be confident in front of adults of all ages.

Finishing up, the crowd was so enthusiastic that a young person was passionate about the environment and our future. These strangers were the most supportive people I have ever met. They asked questions, interacted with me, and gave me a huge round of applause. Afterwards, numerous people shook my hand and gave me their business cards, hoping to form a bond with the crew at Andover.

Returning to high school, my confidence level grew. I realized that people in the crowds weren’t looking to bring me down; overall, the people were supportive. My classmates too, were supportive. I presented to all four grades at the beginning of the next year to explain new additions to the composting program. Students came up to me after and expressed their amazement that I could stand up there and talk to them. There was admiration in their words.

It was a great experience to be able to share the success of my school’s composting program with people who extended beyond the immediate Andover community and to hear their enthusiasm and support for student involvement. It motivated me to keep up my work, and to encourage others to begin activism, because students do have the power to make a change.