The Beacon Online: Earth Day 2014

The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as students started to make their way to the ground floor outside the Alpha Theatre at 4.30 pm. Tables and chairs were already set up for participants who brought various recyclable materials and stationery for the contest. A beautiful collage of paper hearts resembling leaves on a tree welcomed guests at the entrance of the event area. Earlier that day, Student Council members had set up a stall inviting students to pledge their support for the cause and sold badges bearing the words ‘Earth Day 2014’.

Greatest Earth Day Supporter

Earth Day is a time to reassess our daily habits and consider the consequences of our actions on future generations. In conjunction with this global environmental initiative, Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas conducted its very own Earth Day Pageant. Participants were invited to form groups and dress their chosen model in 100% recyclable materials.

At around 4.50pm, the guest judges arrived at the event - the stunning professional models, Ms. Aery Seerungum and Ms. Nithya RV. They were led to their seats alongside our lovely principal, Ms. Lauren. The emcees then began the event and gave teams the ‘all clear’ to dress up their models.

Color-gradient : green to blue

Within the next 45 minutes, the participants frantically pasted, stapled and tweaked plastic, aluminium and paper on their models. A few pro-active teams had already done earlier preparation at home such as folding paper stars or removing openers from aluminium tin cans. One team even created a flower headband made from discarded artificial flowers which they collected from weddings. The extensive resourcefulness shown by each team was commendable and the models’ outfits displayed creativity, innovation and hard work.

Fashion industry big names in the making

Once the time was up, the models gave their best catwalk and showed off their team’s wonderful creations. When asked to explain the concept behind their outfits, the models and their team representatives gave creative and meaningful explanations which mirrored their deep care for the environment. Group 1’s classy dress was adorned with stars and was made from recycled Reader’s Digest Magazines, selected because the magazine was Eco-friendly. Next, Group 2 sported an intricate Victorian corset dress made form aluminium cans, foil, plastic and newspaper with a frilly, white skirt made entirely from tissue paper. Group 3 sported a fashionable 1920s look, complete with a recycled newspaper tuxedo, tie and bowler hat set, with metal buckles and buttons from aluminium tin cans to match. Last but not least, Group 4’s model looked stunning in a long flowing newspaper dress that resembled waves (a renewable source of energy). Citing paper as the most wasted form of recyclable materials, they sealed the theme of “Mother Nature” with a beautiful flower headband.

Looking good in scraps

Ms Lauren & Ms. Nithya also asked the teams some questions relating to Earth Day. All groups answered enthusiastically and disclosed their knowledge about the current environmental situation and its possible solution. After a few moments of the deliberation by the judges, Group 2 was presented as the champions, winning a Starbucks voucher.