Atlantic City High ‘Green Thumbs’ Win NJ Climate Challenge

A team from Atlantic City High School took first place in the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge. The program encourages students to act on the climate crisis.

Green Thumbs From Atlantic City High School Win Climate Contest

The New Jersey Student Climate Challenge encouraged students from state High schools and middle schools to address the impact of the climate crisis.

The Atlantic City High School Green Thumbs team was among four finalists in the high school division that submitted short digital story videos showcasing their projects to address a cause or impact of climate change in their school or community.

The projects ranged from renovating outdoor gardens to reducing greenhouse gases through clothes recycling. The students received their award at the Governor's Mansion.

The project was presented by the Drumthwacket Foundation in partnership with Atlantic City Electric, Exelon, Sustainable Jersey, and others to advance its cause.

Atlantic City High School won a $3,500 grant to advance its climate education initiatives.

William Davies Middle School in Mays Landing took second place in the middle school category.

Atlantic City Green Thumbs Restored Shuttered School Greenhouse

The Green Thumbs team renovated a shuttered greenhouse in Atlantic City High School that had been closed since 2019.

The students turned it into a space to grow local produce. This highlighted opportunities to source food locally out-of-season and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the many miles foods travel before reaching the consumer.

The team planted Romaine lettuce, peppers, basil, and other herbs in hydroponics towers to grow food without direct sunlight.

“I’m extremely proud of these young people,” said Donald Harris, Director of Secondary Education. “They represent Atlantic City High School to the fullest. It just goes to show that Atlantic City High School is a very good school, one of the best in South Jersey.”

The Green Thumb team members were Zeeshan Bakhtiar ‘25, Aaron Simpson ‘24, Saif Naser ‘24, Maxwell Duerr ‘24, Devin Huynh ‘24, Hannah Frebowitz ‘24, Nadeefa Nur ‘24, and Sophia Mammucari ‘24. Emily Loeb was the teacher and team advisor.