The ASB-run thrift store is bringing sustainable fashion and shopping back to HHS after a two-year break, leadership teacher Hector Almendarez said. After ASB revived its sustainability positions, newly-appointed commissioners, sophomore Cynthia Li and junior Sravika Nemani have committed themselves to bringing back the popular event.
Nemani said the thrift store was a memorable event during her freshman year, and bringing it back felt like the perfect way to revive sustainability efforts on campus.
“The line was all the way outside the student center,” Nemani said. “It took me forever to even get through the doors, and once I finally got in, there were people everywhere looking around, and they seemed to really enjoy it. [Since] HHS was trying to bring back a sustainability effort, it only made sense to bring back the thrift store as something that students love so much.”
Combining environmental awareness with school spirit, Almendarez said that this year’s store was tied to Homecoming to encourage more participation by assigning class points to those who donated. With a huge donation surge in the last few days and overflowing collection bins, Almendarez said that the thrift store received an overwhelming turnout from both students and staff.
Currently, the sustainability commissioners are sorting items and setting affordable prices for the store, which is set to open later this semester.
Beyond bringing back a memorable event, Nemani said introducing thrifting to students helps promote mindful shopping in a way that is appealing.
“Secondhand shopping [and] thrifting are very popular,” Nemani said. “ Once you’re done with your clothes, if you just throw them away, they get contributed to landfills, but secondhand shopping gives them a new life.”
One of the donors, senior Shannon Kunz, said she was thrilled to see the thrift store return, as she has enjoyed browsing unique donations and finding affordable pieces in the past. The store’s accessibility and focus on reuse make it an important step toward promoting sustainable habits among students, Kunz said.
“It’s important to give everyone that opportunity to reuse things,” Kunz said. “If you don’t really know where to donate your clothes, [the store] is really accessible. Maybe [it will] inspire people to do it for all of their clothes in the future.”
Furthermore, Almendarez said the thrift store’s success reflects a growing commitment toward the environment at HHS.
“A lot of students are really passionate about the environment,” Almandarez said. “[They’re] passionate about making changes, making attempts to be less wasteful and be more mindful of the things that we use. I hope that it lasts for a long time.”
