Gainesville's 28 Most Interesting People - Erich Christian

Thursday, 06 January 2011 15:20

By Nicole La Hoz

At an eighth-grade marine biology program in The Bahamas, Erich Christian noticed something: The island functioned as its own energy community. It utilized wind and solar power, and converted cooking oil from cruise lines into biodiesel. It inspired Erich, now 18, to create a biodiesel production facility at his former high school, Gainesville’s Oak Hall.

He envisioned a plant at his school that would convert vegetable oil into fuel that could power machines like the school’s lawn equipment.

Solidifying the plan took two to three years for Erich and three peers, beginning with a ninth-grade science project. Erich tested different biodiesel from cooking oils, then began researching legislation to obtain a permit for creating the plant.

The project that Erich envisioned became reality his junior year. After garnering enough community support and applying online for grants, they obtained a processor and housing facility on the school’s campus.

“The shed,” as Erich calls it, sits behind the science labs and converts cooking oil from sources including local restaurants and a Rotary club into biodiesel fuel. Each batch takes approximately 24 hours to create.

His fervor and knowledge led to Erich’s appointment to the Alachua County Commission’s Energy Conservation Strategies Committee soon after.

Erich, who now studies environmental science and policy at Florida State University, won a 2010 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Each year since 1999, The Lost Years of Merlin epic author T.A. Barron awards 10 young leaders from the nation with $2,500, which Erich used toward his education.

“I didn’t expect to win the award,” he says, but Erich always had faith in the project. His goal was for students to learn about the biodiesel process and utilize that information, just as he did at The Island School.

“They were the leading aspects of my life in high school: school and the project,” he says. “It wasn’t something that just interested me; it was a passion.”

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Comments (6)

• |2011-01-07 08:43:38 MdeG  - sense!
  Actually it's amazingly sane. Good lady doing good work in a good cause. This is what citizenship is all about.

• |2011-01-08 15:13:31 matthew lainhart  - The return of the superhero!
  Single moms, themselves, are, without question, some of the strongest people in the world. Victoria takes this to the next level by summoning the energy to fight for others who are less fortunate, oppressed or treated unjustly. She's a champion for humanity and should inspire us all!

• |2011-01-08 18:49:08 Heather Cullen  - friend
  She is one of the smartest people I have ever met!! I have never seen her not smiling and each time I do see her she brings a sence of Peace and Joy with her!! I love her very much!!

• |2011-01-09 12:55:18 Anonymous
  Mommy you are awesome!!!! ;D

• |2011-01-10 16:44:45 Charlotte  - From a fellow enviro religion major!
  One of the sweetest most inspiring people I have ever met. With a true enthusiasm for life, she inspires one to make the most out of life and do it with deliberation and awareness.

• |2011-01-12 16:53:51 Cynthia Wasieczko
  I am proud to call this man my uncle, I pray I can somewhat follow his footsteps as I am trying to become a published author someday, Love you Uncle Sid forver, Love always Cindy

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