For her entire life, junior Sydney Critcher has taken a particular interest in nature.
“I’ve always loved being outdoors, and all credit goes to my parents for practically raising little Sydney outside,” Sydney said.
Inspiring teens to be more environmentally aware, she recently formed Conservation Club at Ocean Lakes and serves as club president.
They held a successful interest meeting on Feb. 18 in room 230, with over 30 students in attendance.
“Not only are we working towards solving local environmental issues, we are also a great community,” Sydney said. “My executive board and I work really hard to include anyone interested and make helping the environment fun for everyone.”
The executive board consists of Sydney; junior Kennedy Walls, co-vice president; sophomore Seth Bengsal, co-vice president, sophomore Felicity Heath, secretary; junior Acelyn Juhas, historian; and junior Daniel Copen, project chair. Each of these members have a love for nature and a passion for preserving it.
“I love Conservation Club because it allows for my interests in environmental science and protecting the environment to collide,” Seth said.
While many other Ocean Lakes environmental clubs focus on trash cleanup in local areas, Conservation Club takes a different approach to environmental consciousness.
“Conservation Club isn’t your normal ‘trash cleanup’ club,” Sydney said. “While plastic pollution is an important issue, we aim to solve and advocate for other VB-wide issues through education, community-driven service projects and volunteering.”
Through things like educational games, volunteering and friendship building along the way, Conservation Club provides a fun and unique way for students to get involved in contributing to the wellness of the environment.
“I want to inspire people to get out into their communities, help out and have fun while doing it,” Sydney said.
