Josh Barrows said he was nervous last week as he shook the hand of President Bush at the White House.

"He asked me how old I was," Barrows, a Central Elementary fifth-grader said. "I said 11 and three days from 12."

The president responded by telling Barrows that it was on his 12th birthday that he decided he was going to be president.

"I said, 'oh cool, maybe I will too,' " Barrows said with a wide grin.

Barrows was one of five Helena students who traveled to Washington, D.C., last week, accompanied by three teachers, to receive the President's Environmental Youth Award.

The group represented 400 students who earned the award for Environmental Awareness and Response Through Human Action, a student-designed project to raise community awareness about environmental issues.

The EARTH Action event was held in October -- students in the Promoting Enriching Activities for Kids program designed booths aimed to educate nearly 1,000 visitors about the environment.

Jane McDonald, PEAK program director, said EARTH Action was powerful because it was all about what the students decided they wanted it to be.

"It was the power of kids making a difference in the community," she said.

The EARTH Action event focused on 28 environmental issues and topics including building a model hydrogen car, developing material on bio-diesel, recycling, solar power and the impact of off-road vehicles on wilderness areas.

Students also developed booths and presentations on bird populations, backyard wildlife, plants on the Missouri River, fire ecology, giardia, global warming and how grazing can affect river banks,

On the trip to the Capitol, the group visited memorials and historic monuments, and they sat down with Sen. Jon Tester to discuss current events and voice their concerns about a number of issues.

Jaden Maharg, sixth-grader at Helena Middle School, said he spoke to Tester about No Child Left Behind and the pressure it puts on students and schools.

"It's an unrealistic goal to have every student on grade level by 2014," he said. "There are so many students with disabilities that can't."

Christine Patten, C.R. Anderson sixth-grader, talked with Tester about the poor hygiene products given to veterans.

"It's hard on their old skin, Patten said. "I was thinking they should have better shampoos, lotions and conditioners. They fought for us, so they should have better care."

Jordon Barrows, seventh-grader at HMS, was eager to talk about creating energy through wind.

Tester told him said he's thinking about offering more tax incentives so farmers and ranchers will build wind energy projects, Barrows said.

Maharg said thinking about ways to improve the environment and lessen the impact humans have on the Earth is critical for people of all ages, but particularly young people.

"We are going to be the next generation to lead the country and if we aren't educated about it, the country won't have good leaders," he said.

Shannon Thennis, HMS sixth grader, said it's all about choices, and making good choices will prevent further damage to the Earth.

Maharg said his goal is for all people to begin to care about the Earth, not just a handful.

"It needs to be everybody," he said.

The President's Environmental Youth Awards program was established in 1971, and up to 10 winning projects are selected annually by the EPA's regional offices.

McDonald said the PEAK group planned EARTH Action without the award in mind, and it was only afterward that a parent brought to her attention the possibility of applying for the award.

Click here to watch video of the Rose Garden ceremony.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com