Reuse. Recycle. Reduce. It’s the sustainability mantra. It’s a mantra SBHS Social Studies Honors Society (SSHS) hopes to spread through their annual thrift store. They held one last year, and it was so successful they repeated the event.
Members of the SSHS set up tables and bins as well as a rack in the 101 courtyard which had displayed many various items displayed from marvel shirts to knitted jackets. During both lunches students and faculty alike crowded around the tables in hopes of finding some valuable treasure.
Last year SBHS behavior specialist Mr. Nathan Eldred-Banks, found a blue jacket and wore it to several weddings last fall. As he was sifting through this year’s donations he laid eyes on a brand-new pair of Vans sneakers. He raced back to his office for the money and bought them on the spot for $3.
“I am completely flabbergasted that there are a brand-new pair of Vans that were exactly my size and cost the exact amount of money that I had in my wallet,” he said.
SBHS senior and SSHS Co-President Daniel Reynolds believes the thrift store is a unique way to bring students together.
“It’s just a way for us to help connect our community with everyone,” Reynolds said. “Even if people aren’t necessarily donating or buying from it, just seeing the crowd of people there helps students take notice and want to learn more. So, I think it really boosts school spirit.”
SSHS sponsor Ms. Valerie Rolle, says she is more of a conduit for the students, emphasizing that the thrift store event was entirely student-led.
“I just keep the clothes, and I provide a place where the students can count the items and get it all organized,” Rolle said. “It’s definitely student-managed and student-organized, and that’s a great thing. It provides leadership opportunities, is good for the environment, and kind of helps that whole fast fashion and contributes to a lot of landfills.”
SBHS senior and SSHS Co-President Anna Zhuk didn’t expect the thrift store to become such a hit, but much to her surprise, it had. Both students and teachers alike had been drawn in.
“It’s one of those things where you don’t expect that much turnout, but it does catch a lot of people’s attention,” Zhuk said. “Even if people aren’t necessarily donating or buying from it, just seeing the crowd helps students take notice and want to know more about it.”
