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John A. Flannery HS Students Have Fun While Learning in
Creation and Production of "Trashin" Fashion Show
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| Nalysia Casiano Rivera, a student in the John A. Flannery Jr. HS, wears her "trashin fashion" proudly. |
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| Chrishanna Graham, a John A. Flannery Sr. High School student, models a skirt made of snack wrappers and a "trash" bag. |
In April, the John A. Flannery High School (JAFHS) Environmental Club, in connection with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), a program geared to inspire, educate and activate high school students, presented a "Trashion Show" along with a sale of recycled items. The purpose of the first-ever Trashion Show was two-fold. First, the project promoted environmental awareness among the John A. Flannery students. Secondly, the proceeds from the sale of recycled products and redemption of bottles will provide a science scholarship to a graduating JAFHS senior who will be attending college in September.
The students began the project by making posters citing environmental facts such as how much carbon emissions can be saved by recycling bottles instead of making them from scratch. The students also collected used materials including snack and drink bags from which they were able to construct “new” clothing. Old hats and shoes that would have found their way into a landfill were painted, decorated and featured
in the Trashion Show. Stuffed animals and throw pillows were
made from used material and recycled stuffing;
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| Nicole Layman, a John A. Flannery Jr. HS student took part in the Trashin Show. |
metal bottle caps were transformed into refrigerator magnets; plastic bottle caps were collected and sent to a recycler; batteries and inkjet cartridges were recycled; plastic shopping bags were used to make crafted handbags; face soap boxes were turned into balloon-powered race cars; red and black bottle caps were used to make checkers games; bits and pieces of left over yarn were turned into adorable little critters; small water bottles were converted into “discovery bottles”; odd socks became hand puppets and the Art classes made masks from recycled newspaper.
The project expanded beyond the Environmental Club and became a school-wide endeavor, with everyone recycling bottles and collecting plastic bottle caps, and many classes contributing their efforts to making products, videotaping and helping with the final production of the event.
The models in the Trashion Show came from both the Junior High School and Senior High School. All the dresses and outfits were made from recycled juice pouches, shopping bags, reused hats and pieces of materials. Environmental classes from the JAF High School worked countless hours on the final projects. JAF HS teacher Mrs. Cole was the major force behind recyclable projects and Teacher Ms. Zielka oversaw the production of the Trashion Show itself.
This undertaking netted $200.90; all of which will be presented as a scholarship to a graduating senior heading off to college in September.