The Environmental Management System club started about five years ago because a few passionate students were interested in helping the environment. Club members, in conjunction with the school's events commission, hosted an environmental fair on May 25 featuring literature, gifts and presentations from some of Silicon Valley's companies focused on good environmental practices.

Agilent Technologies, Wildlife Rescue, Green Team of San Jose, Live Earth Farm, American Metal and Iron, Waste Management of Santa Clara County and Los Altos Garbage Company were a few of the companies represented.

"We're hoping to educate anyone who will listen," said the club's president, Alex Conway. "I'm really hoping that EMS will be recognized. We're not really that noticed on campus."

Club members passed out fliers letting their peers know how they could become involved.

"It feels like we're making a difference," freshman Stephanie Cheng said.

The goal of the group, according to Alex, a junior, is to make people aware of their actions and what they can do to help the environment--whether it's recycling or starting a compost pile in the backyard.

"The purpose of the fair is to educate the staff and students on what they can do to help the environment, as well as to support organizations in our community that do take steps to better the world," he said. "Students need to realize that the smallest actions can have the large effects, so no action is wasted."

The club started up a recycling program on campus, and tries to reduce waste of the school's resources in the areas of water, electricity and garbage in general.

"We're hoping to expand our program to Redwood Middle School this coming year so that students will already be accustomed to recycling and the EMS by the time they reach Saratoga High," Alex said.

During the fair, Roxanne Gutierrez from Waste Management of Santa Clara County handed out rulers and pencils made of recycled materials. She and Alex Ortiz, from Green Team of San Jose, commented that it can be difficult to get high school students interested in their cause, so the freebies helped. Gutierrez demonstrated to students how a Gatorade bottle could be melted down and turned into products like carpet, T-shirts, balloons and even sweaters.

"We're trying to promote recycling and environmental consciousness," freshman Katie Stevens said. She wore a green shirt to signify she was a member of the club. "It's important that students learn to recycle now."

Assistant Principal Karen Hyde serves as the club's adviser, sitting in on their weekly meetings and fueling ideas and discussion. Hyde said the fair represented "life-smart learning." She added that the students have developed the club over the years to make it more "kid friendly" and accessible.

"They are very environmentally conscious," added Jeannie Short, with Stevens Creek Disposal and Recycling. "They are a model school."