MHS Senior’s Unique Scholarship Innovation

After all the college decisions are released, the next step some seniors choose to work on in the end of their high school career is the scholarship application process. Naviance offers hundreds of type of different scholarships appealing to many different subjects and activities. Scholarships can be worth anything, from $500 to even a full ride to a certain school. Senior Chloe Harootunian presented a very unique scholarship she came across recently that could give her up to $20,000 at Syracuse University next year if she wins. Madison Dodger Online (MDO) interviewed Chloe (CH) to find out more about the scholarship and her thought process behind her essay.

(MDO) Describe the scholarship you applied for, what is the name of it?

I am applying for the Maxwell School of Citizenship Scholarship offered by Syracuse University. For the competition, I have to submit a policy memo that presents a public policy proposal to improve some aspect of my local community. In other words, I have to identify a problem I see in Madison and provide a solution. I must submit the formal policy proposal to someone who has power in the borough of Madison to make my idea happen.

What is the problem you identified in Madison?

Every year there are hundreds of thousands of natural resources such as wood, steel, copper, etc. that are extracted from the Earth for the making of caskets and vaults for a traditional cemetery burial. These natural resources are becoming scarce and, in my opinion, they are going to an extreme waste just for the purpose of going into a cemetery. The traditional burial also requires over 800,000 gallons of embalming fluid just for one year, which includes formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is the chemical used in embalming; the process of removing the blood and replacing it with a preservative for the purpose of making the body look more attractive. The problem with formaldehyde is that it inevitably seeps into the ground after some time, potentially causing groundwater pollution and reaching the water we drink. Exposure to formaldehyde increases the risks of brain cancer, leukemia, chronic bronchitis, and eye and skin irritation. Formaldehyde is also in the top 10% of worst chemicals for hazardous impacts on the environment.

What is your solution?

I am asking the town of Madison for a donation of a plot of land for a public “Green Burial” site. This is a greener alternative to a traditional cemetery. Green burials instead cover the body with a shroud, place it inside an optional biodegradable casket, and bury it in a natural area where a new tree or stone marks the grave. This site will not alter the natural surroundings. It will also avoid using the natural resources that go into traditional cemeteries and prevent the spread of formaldehyde in the environment. The green cemetery promotes growth of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, ultimately bringing birds and other wildlife into the area. Nature is allowed to take its course, instead of using pesticides and herbicides for preservation.

How did you come up with the idea?

I had a lot of prior knowledge on this subject because earlier in the school year I had written a paper about the topic of “Green Burials”. I am very passionate about the environment and “being green”.  I saw this scholarship as an opportunity to try to change something myself. I would love to see Madison become a greener community and I think this is a unique idea.