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Noblesville High School (NHS) senior Katie Williams, driven by a deep-rooted passion for marine biology, environmental conservation and sustainability, made a conscious decision before she even stepped into high school. Her determination led her to join the school’s conservation club as a freshman – a testament to her unwavering commitment to her chosen field.
“We meet once a month, and within the club we form groups focused on different areas,” Williams says. “One group focuses on spreading our social media awareness to attract new members. We have one group that focuses on maintaining our courtyards. We have yet another group that focuses on the greenhouse we built.”
That small, 8-by-5-foot greenhouse houses different flowers, vegetables and herbs for students and staff at NHS to utilize. Williams says the club is also responsible for upcycling buckets that deliver produce to the school into self-watering planters. She says they also focus their efforts around Noblesville. The club collects bottle caps from various types of plastic bottles, which then get melted down and made into benches placed throughout the city.
“In April during Earth Week we will create videos to air during our daily announcements, focusing on different environmental sustainability subjects, informing students and staff,” Williams says.
Williams is not only highly involved in the conservation club, but she also stays busy participating in Key Club by the Kiwanis, volunteering with Lend a Paw, and performing as the Noblesville Miller Man mascot for the last two years. She plays clarinet in the concert band’s wind ensemble, bass clarinet and clarinet in the musicals orchestra, and trumpet in jazz band.
Over the summer she attended a STEM camp at Vincennes University, where she learned all about the school’s environmental clubs and associations. She’s still deciding, but after graduating she plans to attend either Vincennes University for the first two years, majoring in zoology, or Eckerd College, double majoring in marine science and environmental studies. She says she plans to continue her efforts in conservation in her college career and beyond.
“Katie is not only someone who wants to do all she can to help promote conservation, but she is also one of the club’s biggest leaders,” says Eric Gurule, conservation club sponsor. “In a club that does not have officers, she is a natural leader and takes charge of projects the club is working on. Our club is very diverse, and Katie’s calmness makes kids feel welcome to our group. She participates in almost every event we do, and because of how much she is well-liked, she often gets many other kids to participate in our events. She will be missed when she leaves after this year, but I will be grateful for all she has done to help grow our club.”
