'The Environment is Us, and We are the Environment'

Westborough High School Class of 2013 valedictorian Erin Reynolds heads to new surroundings this fall to continue studying the environment.

Reynolds said she will major in environmental engineering at MIT.

“It’s not about preserving natural beauty and preserving animals and plants just for the sake of preserving it. It’s also because we depend on the environment for everything. It’s the air we breathe. It’s the water we drink. The environment is us, and we are the environment,” Reynolds said.

“There’s a lot of woods behind my house, so it’s always been a part of my life.”

Reynolds was president of the Westborough High School Environmental Club.

Principal John Smith said Reynolds has led recent recycling efforts at the school.

“She has been the person meeting with the adults, and really pushed this,” he said.

Reynolds said recycling is “something really easy that should be done. It doesn’t take that much effort, and it reduces a lot of waste.”

Reynolds said she also was a member of the cross-country and outdoor track teams during each of her four years at Westborough High.

Reynolds is the daughter of Karen and Timothy Reynolds.

Graduation is at 5 p.m. Saturday.