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EDITORIAL: A group of students from Los Puentes Charter School in the North Valley are not only turning their lives around for the better, they're helping wildlife at the same time.
As part of their government and English classes, the students helped draft a legislative memorial advocating stiffer penalties for poaching. Then, they wrote e-mails and faxes hoping to get support. Some went up to Santa Fe and met with legislators, and followed up their lobbying with thank-you notes.
While the memorial did not pass, the students gained valuable insight into the legislative process. Their lobbying was inspired by the students' year-round involvement in "Wild Friends," a statewide network of students, teachers and others who follow up their concern for wildlife with legislative action.
Most of the students at the 3-year-old charter school attend because they have had trouble at other schools; 98 percent live at or below the poverty level.
Kudos to these students who are making the most of their high school experience and, at the same time, are proving to be civic stewards who are making a difference in their state.
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