Anuj Sisodiya from Trumbull, Connecticut has launched several successful energy conservation initiatives. As a sophomore, he created the "Light It, But Time It" project which encouraged households to use timers for their holiday lights to save energy. He employed various outreach methods to promote this. Anuj is also involved in debate team, Spanish club, and tennis. He hopes to study finance with an energy focus and wants to start his own alternative energy business. Anuj enjoys rock climbing and longboarding to relax.
4. Anuj Sisodiya, Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull High School, 2016
As a sophomore, Anuj created “Light It, But Time It,” a community-based, energy-saving
project. During holiday seasons, he suggested that each household use a timer when using
their festive, electronic décor. Anuj created a website and employed social media, public
canvassing, grocery store booths, and door-to-door campaigning to distribute free electrical
light timers and to promote energy conservation. Anuj worked with energy company
managers, town leaders, and vendors to further his initiative. He has also launched “Measure,
Monitor, and Save Energy (M2SE)” to use technology and apps to conserve energy. Anuj
recently implemented “Energy Savings and Awareness Week (E-SAW)” in his high school. He
is the recipient of the Prudential Spirit of Community Service Award, the Action for Nature
International Eco Hero Award, and the President Environmental Youth Award. Anuj is also a
four-year member of the Debate Team, the Spanish Club, and the varsity tennis team.
5. 1. Tell us about how you became interested in
energy conservation.
6. 1. Tell us about how you became interested in
energy conservation
My passion to help the environment developed in elementary
school when I started a campaign to recycle polythene bags
and also pushed for the use of reusable bags. My campaign
collected thousands of polythene bags which were then
recycled in the proper way instead of being thrown into the
garbage and harming the environment. In the past, I have also
studied, researched and shared other energy related issues
by writing essays, articles etc. for local newspapers. Then, in
middle school I read an article that said my generation would
live without trees, oil, or fresh water if we continued to harm the
environment. I knew I had to make a difference.
7. 2. If there were one thing you could predict about
the future of science, what would it be?
8. 2. If there were one thing you could predict about
the future of science, what would it be?
I think that we are going to enter a lifestyle that is completely
revolutionized by technology within the next 50 years. I think that
a lot of this technology will be implemented out of sheer necessity
due to non renewable resources running out. We can already see
this happening with the development of the Tesla motorcar and
solar roads.
9. 3. If there were one thing you could have in the
classroom that you don’t currently, what would it be?
10. 3. If there were one thing you could have in the
classroom that you don’t currently, what would it be?
Have technology be more involved in the classroom like using
computers for notes.
11. 4. Tell us about your favorite teacher, how have they supported or inspired you?
12. 4. Tell us about your favorite teacher, how have they supported or inspired you?
It is very difficult to pick a favorite, I think all my teachers have helped me learn different things and they all give me a unique
learning experience. They all encouraged me to work hard and follow what I believe in, my environmental work.
13. 5. What is your fondest memory related
to your “Light It, But Time It,” Project?
14. 5. What is your fondest memory related
to your “Light It, But Time It,” Project?
My fondest memory about my campaign is definitely
how I first got inspired to launch this project. It was
the holiday season and I loved looking at all the
holiday lights on outside. However, I noticed that my
neighbors lights were on 24//7 and thought that was
such a waste because you could only enjoy the lights
from around 5:30-10pm. The other hours they were
barely visible. I looked into how to solve that problem
and purchased a light timer for him. After that I
started to notice that a lot of people left their lights
on throughout the day and that’s how the campaign
was born.
16. 6. Where do you see yourself in
10 years?
Hopefully running my own business that
deals with alternative energy sources
and come up with a revolutionary
environmental product.
18. 7. What do you plan to study in college?
I plan to study Finance with a concentration in
energy trends.
19. 8. What do you hope for this year’s incoming High School Freshman class?
20. 8. What do you hope for this year’s incoming High School Freshman class?
I hope that they get involved in their communities. My community work has taught me so much, introduced me to so many
people and given me countless opportunities. I really hope people follow what they are passionate about and take action.
21. 9. Outside of your environmental advocacy involvement,
what has been your favorite / most enjoyable aspect of
high school?
22. 9. Outside of your environmental advocacy involvement,
what has been your favorite / most enjoyable aspect of
high school?
All the friendships I have made and activities I got involved in like going to
school games or business competitions.
23. 10. What do you do to stay organized /
focused?
24. 10. What do you do to stay organized /
focused?
To stay organized I usually use my phone to its
full extent in terms of keeping track of things.
It’s definitely a blessing and a curse. And to stay
focused I listen to music and sort of motivate myself
to finish a task at a time.
25. 11. How do you relax? What’s your favorite hobby?
26. 11. How do you relax? What’s your favorite hobby?
I relax usually by going outside and longboarding or shooting hoops. I also
like hanging out with friends and just driving around listening to music. My
favorite hobby is rock climbing.