Walden III School has taken going green to a whole new level and is currently one of the 10 finalists in a national essay contest to be recognized as America’s Greenest School.

Walden’s essay writer is Bria Kaufman, a seventeen year old senior student.

“I’m like freaking out about it because I wasn’t expecting it and now there’s all this attention,” Bria said. “I keep telling myself to breathe. It’s very intense.

Bria wrote her essay in response to an assignment given by her ecology and environmental society teacher.

“It was a fun essay to write because I’m very proud of Walden and all their green efforts here,” she said. “There was lots to talk about.”

Bria wrote about many of the going green projects taking place at Walden, including a program that works with the community to encourage the use of fluorescent light bulbs and planting trees. Walden also generates power from the large bank of solar panels installed on the roof, which was funded by money raised by the school. There is also a rain garden and outdoor classroom being built, and the school has a recycling program in place.

Bria’s essay was selected from nearly 2,000 submissions received from 767 different schools.

The winner of America’s Green School will be determined by public online voting, so head over to http://www.americasgreenestschool.com/ , check out the contestants and cast your vote!