Since the age of 15, Jami Harper has been involved in environmental protection, actively recycling items and speaking to groups about protecting water. In 2004, industrial solvents were found in the wells of many of her neighbors. While she could do nothing on her own to fix this problem, she did realize she could do something to educate others about the problem and the need for safe water.

Jami started an educational program to teach safe water practices to other students. To make it both memorable and fun, she designed an interactive quiz called “H2Owood Squares,” based on the TV game show Hollywood Squares, except all the questions are related to water facts and water protection. She even built her own set and took the show on the road to area schools and civic organizations. She was invited to lead a children’s workshop for the Groundwater Foundation and has addressed the national Groundwater Guardian conference. Jami also wrote an illustrated childrens’ book on environmental protection and launched “water wizard,” an educational website.

In 2007, she was honored by Family Circle Magazine as one of 4 young people in the country named “Earth Angels” for environmental community service projects.