A Chat with NGSS President, Ava Durgin
Well Groundhog Day was Sunday, and Punxsutawney Phil has declared an early spring! So in the spirit of all things growing and blooming, I sat down with Ava Durgin to talk about her new environmental club, NGSS. She arrived right on time, partly because we didn’t have a meeting scheduled. I turned my desk around to talk to her, pausing her usual 6th period occupation knocking out homework and talking to her friend and recently made Vice President, Isabel Price.
Q
Hey Ava, so glad to finally talk with you!
A
Likewise!
Q
So first off, the question on everyone’s mind, what does NGSS stand for?
A
National Green School Society
Q
When did you come up with the idea for the club?
A
Around September. After Bella Gray started her club, JSA, I got super excited and realized I could start my own club on campus.
Q
What are the main focuses of the club?
A
Informing Lamar and our community about the environment by trying to reduce waste and the impact we have on the planet. Last week, we talked to the elementary students during lunch about the new recycling bins. We showed them what can and cannot be recycled and answered all of their questions.
Q
Does NGSS have any special projects underway we should be looking out for?
A
Right now, we are working on building a garden using only donations and soon we will go around Meridian and ask local stores for their help establishing the beds.
Q
Oh my gosh I can’t wait! What kind of garden?
A
It's going to be in a raised bed by the shed [near where the Raider Rocket is parked]. We will be planting seasonal, fast growing fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, green beans, and peas. During the summer, we are planning on having flowers in the garden.
Q
When can we expect this to be built?
A
Hopefully the beginning of April, before Earth Day, because we have some exciting events planned for the 22nd!
Q
So, changing topics, when did you start becoming more aware about the environment?
A
My whole life – forever. My parents have always taught me about taking care of the environment.
Q
How can the students be more involved in your mission?
A
Try and be more environmentally-conscious by limited single use plastic or using reusable bags to the grocery store.
Q
Is there anything you want students to participate in?
A
We just got four green recycling bins that are now in the cafeteria beside the trash cans. We will be recycling empty plastic bottle and aluminum cans, so make sure you recycle!
Q
Who is someone or some group you admire in the environmental field?
A
The Coral Gardeners. They are a conservation group located in Tahiti French Polynesia. I started following them sometime this summer and they’ve worked with a lot of famous people like Jack Johnson to help make a difference. They transplant broken coral pieces and set them up on a table in the ocean until they grow. It’s a really cool to see how they have made such an impact by planting these corals.
Q
Are you interested in environmental activism as a career?
A
Right now, I am not sure but I’m looking into Marine Biology. If I don’t major in anything environmental, I will definitely be involved in an environmental club in college.
Sounds like spring has sprung for Lamar!