Canden Patten didn’t set out to become the face of recycling at Salem Community High School. In fact, for a long time, he was content to stay in the background—quiet, observant, and, as he puts it, “not exactly socially outgoing.” But then along came Mr. Johnson.

“I was a very reclusive kid,” Canden said. “But Johnson was always enthusiastic—always trying to pull us out of our shells. He made us think.” It was in Johnson’s homeroom that Canden first heard about the school’s recycling program. He saw the annual electronics drive at the end of his freshman year and thought, that actually looks kind of cool.

Cool, in this case, wasn’t just a matter of helping the school. It was about doing something that made sense—not wasting resources, not throwing things away that still had value, and not sitting on the sidelines.

“I just hate waste,” Canden said. “Food waste, item waste—just waste in general. Growing up with limited resources, you learn to appreciate what you have. You don’t want more, you just want to make what you have last. So when I saw that recycling could make a difference, I jumped in.”

That small decision grew into a sense of identity. This year, Canden helped collect 28 pallets of electronics and seven full bales of paper—a remarkable haul for a school the size of Salem Community High School. “Just imagine what a community of 8,000 people can do,” he said. “Then multiply that by the number of towns across the country. It’s not hard to see that change starts here.”

Canden’s work isn’t just rooted in economic responsibility; it’s increasingly driven by environmental urgency. “The world’s getting hotter. Climate change is real. And if I can do something—even something small—it means something to me.”

That conviction has caught the attention of others. Underclassmen have begun to follow his lead, asking questions, picking up habits, and, in his words, “slowly filling my shoes.” That quiet leadership—no blue ribbons, no announcements—is exactly the kind Canden values most. “It’s kind of an honor,” he said. “People are watching and learning, and that feels good.”

Beyond recycling, Canden spent time in Salem Community High School’s Esports program and forged strong connections with staff in the tech office. He’s unsure of what he wants to study yet but is considering fields in technology, possibly cybersecurity. He’ll begin with a gap year to build savings and gain clarity before attending Kaskaskia College, with hopes of transferring to a university later.

“Honestly, I like learning. That’s my thing,” he said. “And I’d like to travel, too. See more of the world.”

Wherever that road leads, there’s little doubt that Canden will walk it with intention. He's planning to keep in touch with his younger siblings and hopes they’ll see his example and follow a good path—one that values stewardship, thoughtfulness, and showing up when it matters.

Because, as he’s learned, even in a small town, you can make a big difference.