When I was a kid, I wanted to save the world—to solve all environmental issues. I envisioned myself following in the footsteps of my hero, Jane Goodall, and uniting the globe to fix pollution, climate change, habitat loss, you name it. In fourth grade, I fancied myself a pioneer when I started a Little Loraxes Club to clean a local stream. As I moved into middle school, though, my optimism turned to cynicism. Every news story detailed our dying planet: coastlines contaminated, rainforests decimated, greenhouse gases accumulating. I realized that no one Little Lorax could save the world. Still, I tried. I reached out to my school district, advocating for reusable utensils, and ended up in a fruitless exchange of bureaucratic emails that led exactly nowhere. But I could not let myself give up. Junior year, I started leading my school’s environmental club. I recruited new members, sent out email reminders, held bi-weekly meetings, organized cleanups and fundraisers and a metal recycling event. However, I often found myself wondering if my efforts were truly impactful. I became more and more discouraged as I failed to make a real difference in my local community. Then, I engaged in a conversation with my school’s cafeteria managers about ways to improve sustainability. I asked them to use straw-less lids at our café, substitute plastic utensils for wooden ones, and allow students to bring in their own reusable cup to buy drinks. I went into the meeting expecting inert and unwilling administrators, but they were surprisingly and encouragingly receptive, agreeing to discuss the changes I proposed. One day, about a month later, I walked into school and saw kids drinking from the café cups: clear plastic lids, with an open spout at one end and not a straw in sight. By the end of the year, we even received our first shipment of reusable tumblers that kids can use at the café. Solving the problem of single use plastic straws at one school district was by no means world changing, but it was physical proof that, by not giving up, I could make an impact. Newly motivated, I began working on a much bigger problem: the carbon footprint of the third largest school district in Pennsylvania. In collaboration with my township, I have analyzed district energy usage and composed a proposal for improving energy efficiency in the schools, which I have already presented to the school board. I am now working with my school's Directors of Finances and Operations to find grants that will make sustainable initiatives--from better insulation to electric school buses--financially feasible. These past two years have shown me that I cannot stop trying to make an impact. This fall, I will continue my path in leadership and advocacy at Cornell University, where I can begin to apply my passion for scientific research to building a greener world. With a major in Environment and Sustainability and a minor in Marine Conservation, I will gain the foundation for a career developing sustainable conservation strategies that preserve essential marine ecosystems while still supporting coastal communities. I am not going to save the world. I know that now. But I also know that this Little Lorax will never stop trying to save part of it.