Sheepshead Student Earns Big Scholarship

A Sheepshead Bay High School (3000 Avenue X) took home top honors at the 18th annual Quality of Life INNOVATIONS (QLI) Awards Ceremony. The QLI program, which invites students to tackle and attempt to solve real world problems, honored Jihad Teeba for her work in studying the hazardous effects of batteries that aren’t properly disposed of.

In a press releaes, QLI documented Teeba’s impressive work and research:

Jihad confronted the improper disposal of batteries and the impact this has on the environment and public health. Her extensive research included the hazards associated with button-cell batteries that are swallowed by thousands, including children, each year. 180,000 tons of batteries are discarded every year in the US. 81 percent of respondents to her student survey noted they have thrown out batteries in a garbage bin rather than a recycling container. Jihad’s solutions include creating drop-off sites in residential areas, an awareness campaign, and greater enforcement of existing New York State laws requiring merchants to accept used rechargeable batteries for recycling.

“Too many people fail to recycle,” commented Jihad. “They need better access to recycling boxes and drop-off centers.”

Congratulations to Jihad for her accomplishment and for helping raise awareness over proper battery recycling.