Mahtomedi High School senior Heidi Ledermann was presented with the Mahtomedi Area Green Initiative Environmental Leadership Award at the school’s annual awards ceremony May 13.

The award provides a $1,000 merit-based scholarship to a graduating senior who exemplifies commitment, innovation, and leadership in addressing environmental issues. It was established in 2010 by community members Vicki and Si Ford and their family, who were inspired by Mahtomedi students’ contributions to making the Zephyr Wind Turbine a reality. The award celebrates this past student initiative and aims to encourage future student engagement and innovation in defining and solving environmental problems.

Heidi was chosen for the award based on her contributions to sustainability initiatives at school and in her community. As a member of the high school Eco Club, she also was 2012 Region V winner of the Presidential Environmental Youth Award. In 2010, as a high school freshman, she volunteered with the Garden Party fundraiser for the Zephyr Wind Turbine.  She also helped start a composting program at the high school, built a nature play area at O.H. Anderson Elementary School, and helped establish a prairie planting at the new Wildwood Elementary School. In addition, she has been involved in environmental activities at her church and spent a semester attending Conserve School, an environment-focused boarding school, her junior year.

Heidi is planning to continue her education in environmental science at St. Mary’s University in Winona and is looking forward to joining the sustainability team there.

Congratulations, Heidi — and thank you for helping make our world a better place!