Living

<< Previous   of   Next >> Michael O'Leary / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Jordan Steeves, 18, who graduated from Everett High School last week, recently won $5,000 for his school and $5,000 for himself in a statewide science contest with his entry, an environmentally friendly water bottle.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, June 15, 2009 Super Kid: Jordan Steeves, 18, Everett High School senior Science reward: Jordan Steeves recently earned $5,000 for his Everett High School science program and $5,000 for himself by winning a statewide Imagine Tomorrow competition at Washington State University. Winning entry: The task was to find a way to change people's behavior. His idea: Environmentally friendly water bottles made of 70 percent paper and 30 percent plastic. They're similar to milk cartons. Elation: On hearing that he won, Steeves was ecstatic. "I was like, 'Yes. All my hard work accumulated into that one moment.'" Product name and motto: "Cykle" and "Replant Your Future." Reasoning: His water bottles can degrade in five years while plastic ones could take 1,000 years. "I want to start a company that makes a difference and changes the behavior of the public. This is like my dream." He said such an endeavor that could include a local recycling center would be in line with the "green jobs" President Barack Obama has advocated. Product: Steeves had Tetra Pak, a Texas-based plant that manufactures cartons, print his design on the prototypes he presented. Motivation: He remembers a phone call with his dad who was in Florida a few years ago. His father was describing the beauty of the waterfront at Miami Beach with one exception: strewn plastic water bottles. "I just started thinking about that image." Teacher's thoughts: When she saw what Jordan was working on, Everett High School chemistry teacher Addie Smith urged him to enter it into the Imagine Tomorrow competition. "His idea is revolutionary, and I sincerely feel the world will be seeing it in the marketplace very soon." Future: Steeves plans to attend Western Washington University and study environmental science. Rigor: His senior year schedule at Everett High School included college-level advanced placement classes in chemistry, biology and English as well as Running Start classes at Everett Community College in psychology and Spanish. Going green: He was president of his school's environmental club, which volunteered with cleanups. Favorite book: "Stumbling on Happiness" by Daniel Gilbert. Favorite movie: "Ace Ventura" Favorite music: Bob Marley. Deep roots: A product of Everett schools, Jordan attended Madison Elementary School, North Middle School and Everett High School. Enjoying Everett: He likes mountain biking at Japanese Gulch and skimboarding at Howarth Park. Skimboarding is like a combination of snowboarding and skateboarding on water. Hard work ahead: The summer heat of Montana awaits. He's planning to help his grandparents bale hay in Big Sky country. Family matters: Jordan has a mix of siblings -- an older sister, a stepbrother, a half brother and a half sister. "They're a lot of fun." Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com Know a super kid?: E-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Shot ends search for man sought in killing of Seattle police officer 2. Thousands honor slain Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton 3. No charge will be filed in death of Everett pedestrian 4. Rain, thunderstorms forecast for lowlands 5. Bothell steamrolls Stanwood 6. PREP FOOTBALL/SWIMMING ROUNDUP: Halfback pass for touchdown sparks Sultan win 7. More jibba-jabba 8. Obama OK's homebuyer tax credit 9. Suspect identified in Seattle police killing 10. Dana nibbles into Somers’ lead 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Gough on track to keep job • Jazz vocalist headlines NPAC • Mountlake Terrace makes football history • Tax revenue sagging, city budgets lagging • ‘Touch of Magic' show opens at Gallery North • Jackson repeats as South champs • Holiday Bazaars Calendar • Meadowdale storms back to grab title • Edmonds moves to Fire District 1 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million