Graduating Senior Leaves Behind Conservation Legacy

A Charlotte senior who is graduating this week will leave behind a legacy of conservation at his high school.

Garin Hamilton-Jones helped create a recycling club at South Mecklenburg High School.

“By recycling, people make a difference in their school and community. It is something simple we can do to help the environment,” said Hamilton-Jones.

He spent his senior year reviving the recycling program that died out when he was a freshman.

It took time to get others students on board.

“At the beginning of the year we were not getting that much. Toward the end these things were getting full and we were collecting more often,” said Hamilton-Jones.

South Mecklenburg High School now has 35 recycling bins that get emptied every week.

His parents are very proud their son will have a lasting impact on the school.

“I knew he was big about recycling at home,” said Marcie Jones.

His father agrees.

“It's an outstanding way for him to show his passion. He is very driven. When he has an interest in something he goes full bore towards it,” said Lamont Jones.

Hamilton-Jones is getting a full scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill this fall.

He knows when he leaves Charlotte the program that he helped create will live on.

“I have made a difference. Seeing the bins full, I know I got a response from the students and teachers and faculty,” said Hamilton-Jones.