Ariadna Lubinus, 17, says she has always been interested in the environment. Visiting her family in India and Colombia, she said she saw the conditions some people were living in, and it had an impact on her.

For 18-year-old Cristelle Meza, she did not become environmentally conscious until she started researching environmental issues and decided to do presentations about the environment for children.

The two came together and created a citywide organization, Teens4Green, that encourages Frisco teenagers to volunteer in their communities and strive for environmental sustainability.

Lubinus and Meza first met at the Imagine International Academy in McKinney during freshman year of high school.

The school was brand new, so to meet more people the two started an Animal Club, a club that would encourage students to donate or help animal shelters.

“We thought that a community service club would be a way to get to know people and help the community around us,” Lubinus said.

But the girls said the club was not popular, and no one else wanted to put in the effort like they did. Then Lubinus became homeschooled and Meza transferred to the Dallas International School. But the girls said they still had an eagerness to continue community service and encourage other teens.

“We decided to make a student environment club for all the teens in Frisco and around Frisco so everyone who wanted to get involved could get involved,” Lubinus said.

Through other city volunteer events, Meza met Molly Kinson, Frisco Environmental Services education coordinator. Meza and Lubinus met with Kinson to see if their idea was possible.

“I was thrilled because in my job we do a lot with children in fifth grade and under and we do a lot with adults, but that middle teenage section is really hard to reach,” Kinson said. “So when they came to me with this idea for Teens4Green, I saw a really great opportunity not only for them to grow their club but for us to reach those teens.”

Lubinus and Meza said they made posters and posted them throughout Frisco businesses.

“At our first event that summer, we had less than 10 people show up, but now we have over 200 members,” Meza said. “We’ve grown a lot over the last 2 1/2 years.”

Kinson said because the club is for teens run by teens is why she thinks the club gained so much popularity.

Through the organization, a teen from Frisco or from surrounding areas can sign up to be on an email list. The email list sends out information about coming events.

There are different activities for everyone, both indoors and outdoors.

The group adopted a street in Frisco—Hudson Drive—and every couple of weeks the group will clean the street. The group also hosts green workshops in which they provide do-it-yourself tips on living green. Previous workshops included making natural cosmetics and turning old T-shirts into reusable bags.

The group also hosts nature tours, works in the Shawnee Trail Garden and hosts movie nights in which members watch documentaries on environmental issues.

“It’s been amazing the reaction we’ve gotten and how many people continue to volunteer with us,” Meza said. “They’re having fun, meeting new people, and they want to keep coming. I like seeing people building their passion and dedication to the club and the environment.”

Lubinus and Meza are both going to college this fall. Lubinus will attend Cornell University to major in environmental engineering and Meza will attend St. Edwards University to major in biology and economics.

The pair said they would try to continue to be involved with the organization and have already selected new leaders. Kinson also said she would make sure the club keeps running.