El Camino High School, Woodland Hills

Olive Rose Sanders discovered a way to make a positive impact by joining the Soil Sponge Collective in 7th grade. In high school, a desire to share her knowledge and resources with peers led to the founding of the Soil Regeneration Club at El Camino Real Charter High School during her freshman year. Now a junior, Olive has spent two and a half years advocating for administration approval to plant a garden. Within the club, members study sustainable growing practices and have planted cover crops in the designated garden area, although this space faces potential demolition in the coming years. Despite this, efforts continue to expand the program by planting trees and other crops in alternate locations while navigating ongoing challenges from school administration. Olive aims to incorporate fruit trees, perennials, and California native plants into the landscape, enhancing the learning environment for future generations.