Ever had maybe, just maybe, too many clothes?
Too many shirts to stuff in a drawer, too many pants to hang in the closet?
Have some old costume jewelry? Maybe an old leather jacket?
Ever wanted to do something about having too many clothes?
Well then, the Environmental Protection Association (EPA) has the right place to visit!
Here at Seminole High School (SHS), a brand new club, EPA, was welcomed into the school starting in August of 2025. It consists of inspirational young minds, who came together to take action in not only their high school, but their local Sanford community as well. EPA strives to make positive changes for the environment, starting out small, but with big plans in mind! One of the ways the club desires to make a positive change is through organizing a thrifting event at SHS.
On December 5th, 2025, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, EPA is hosting a thrifting event in the cafeteria! All students are welcome to attend, as well as any administrators if they please. The event is simple- bring an item and pick out an item in return! The thrift is a ticketed event, meaning the clothes brought in for exchange will be scaled on 1 to 3 ticket basis. The lower the quality of the item, the lower the item is priced at, aiming for 1 to 2 tickets. The higher the quality of the item, the item will be priced at 2 or 3 tickets.
The items will be displaced over three tables, going from 1 ticket item to 3 ticket items. Any type of item is accepted, whether the article is a dress, a jacket, a wrist watch, or even a pair of boots, but all items must be of decent quality.
Clothes are accepted the week prior and at the event. Clothes can be brought to Ms. Schmidli’s classroom in Tomahawk.
In addition to attending the event, students can volunteer to help manage the event as well! The process to become a volunteer is simple, just fill out the google form, and pick a position to fulfill. Students who chose to volunteer are not only limited to managing the event, they are still able to bring their clothes and thrift as well.
The goal of this event is to reduce the rates of overconsumption, and to encourage others to shop mindfully through thrifting instead of purchasing new clothes. Overconsumption is a widespread environmental issue, to which many may be unaware. Through this event, EPA encourages others to think about their shopping habitats, as well as spreading the concern about overconsumption. This thrifting event follows the theme of the club because EPA is making a change in their community. Thrifting is impactful in the community, not only because it brings SHS together, but because it also reduces overconsumption.
EPA Club member and IB Junior, Yuthara Silva, believes that the thrifting event is important to SHS because “it encourages people to not be wasteful, and to simply recycle! Clothes could go in the trash, or they can go to another person, or become treasure to another.” Silva adds: “this event implements the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ concept into our community, which is a positive and powerful message that we display to others. Not only does [the event] reduce wastefulness, it gives people something fun and essential to do!”
Another member, freshman Abby Dewilde, states that this event is important to SHS as “it benefits our school through encouraging sustainability, and thrifting is an overall fun event.”
Consider attending the event, it may be surprising to see what other students bring to exchange, and look out for future thrifting events!