In ancient Greek mythology, Icarus, using a pair of wings his father constructed from feathers and wax, was too ambitious in his flight plans. Though warned by his father, Icarus nevertheless flew too close to the sun, the wax melted and Icarus fell into the sea.

The myth relates the consequences of hubris, or failed ambition through overweening pride.

Cumberland County High School students who recently made a solar panel pitch to the School Board have an ambitious but achievable goal and their interest, and determination in taking the proposal to the School Board, is laudable.

Solar energy will prove vital to the future of the human race, in Cumberland County and around the world.

Students in the Sustainability and Renewable Technologies course at the high school are hoping the School Board will agree to a proposal to install a nine-panel solar system at the middle/high school complex. Doing so would reduce the complex's carbon footprint, reduce energy costs, enhance the educational aspect by providing a practical application of the students' research, and prove to be an inspiration to other students. The entire project is estimated to cost approximately $10,000.

The students in Angela Whittaker's class are not flying too close to the sun. They completed a rigorous study into solar energy, focusing on the use of solar panels to collect the power of sunlight and convert it into usable energy. The students then produced the formal proposal submitted to the School Board.

Not an Icarus in the entire class.

Their flight plant would take us right where we need to go.

-JKW-