News 12 at 6 O'Clock, December 16, 2009

NORTH AUGUSTA -- As far as student activism goes, one North Augusta High School Junior may have them all beat.

Byron Thomas was inspired by Al Gore's book "An Inconvenient Truth" to make a difference to save the environment. Not lacking any confidence, he says he can be better than the former Vice President.

The special delivery came Monday.

"Other schools are out there getting solar panels, and I thought, 'Why not North Augusta?" said Thomas.

He stands proudly by the 10 panels, donated to the school by BP through a grant.

"I have a very good reputation in North Augusta, and I expect of myself and they expect of me to do something great," Thomas adds. "I want to start now, because I love North Augusta High School."

That love and Byron's interest in energy efficiency led to a letter-writing campaign to the President, members of Congress, and teachers.

It worked.

His message caught the attention of the Earth Day Network, who wrote the grant. The panels are worth about eight thousand dollars, according to one solar contractor.

"I think that Byron's idea of recycling and solar power is a great start for us," said Physics teacher Kathy Gambill.

Gambill has worked with Byron in student council. He's the student body Vice President, and he founded the Environmental Club, which recycles trash they find around campus.

"He is really focused on it, and he has been preaching environmentalism and going green for a year," adds Gambill. "We're just excited to let him walk the walk, while he talks the talk."

The Earth Day network sent a 500 dollar check for the installation of the solar panels. Solar contractors estimate it will take about $10,000 -- still a long way to go.

Sensing Byron's enthusiasm, the South Carolina Solar Council is considering taking it up as a project.

How's that for walking the walk?

"We're really excited to see where we're going to go with this, and how far he's going to take us," Gambill said.

Adds Thomas: "Hopefully one day, I can be well known in the world and they can all say that Byron Thomas walked through these halls and changed the school."

The panels will provide three percent of the school's energy needs and will save about $35,000. Aiken County Schools loves that savings too, especially with budget concerns.

For Thomas and others, the big party will be next Earth Day in April. The Earth Day Network is choosing to celebrate at North Augusta High School. The school won't have to fork over a dollar for the installation.