Because Earth Day is a tradition that our school has had for years, it is always so interesting to see what they have in store for us each year. I’m sure countless students remember how fun it was to go to Earth Day at the high school when they were young and learn new things as well as get free things related to Earth Day. Getting to experience it here at HMHS was just as fun. Tons of tables, each completely different from the next. Each table offers something new to learn, from horseshoe crabs to vegan bug spray. 

I interviewed Ollie Bellace, a good friend of mine and organizer of the HMHS thrift store table about her experiences at Earth Day. She says, “I’ve always been interested in environmental stuff and it influenced my love for fashion since a young age,” She works with the environmental club and the thrift shop was a part of a project she did for the club. “…And I plan to bring back the Sewing and Mending club and get people interested in it.” She believes that it is important for people to know how to fix their own belongings instead of buying new things every time. She used Earth Day to promote the thrifting and plans for the thrift to return during Arts in the Courtyard. She says, “There is already plenty of clothing to go around, we just have this mindset to consume more instead of reuse more.” 

I was drawn to Ollie’s thrift shop because it was a huge hit, and in school, I saw people wearing what they bought from her stand to school which proves a schoolwide thrift store is an outstanding idea. I’m hoping Ollie is successful in bringing the Sewing Club back to our school because it will bring us one step closer to helping our planet, and teach us life lessons along the way.