Highschooler speaks out on climate crisis after no longer being able to take senior pictures in her favorite field.
As the state of California faces alarming rates of wildfires, concerned high school students voice their opinions in demand of community action to combat climate change.
One student, Gabby Jones is especially outraged after being forced to reschedule her senior pictures due to the wildfire this week. Jones, a 17 year old senior at Beverly Hills High School, released a statement addressed to California offices.
“It's just so disheartening to hear that my lawmakers and fellow Californians don’t care as much as I do about the recent rise in wildfires. I had my entire wardrobe picked out for my senior pictures, of course, ending with my gorgeous blue graduation cap and gown, only to go on snapchat and see people posting on their stories about the new wildfire? I mean, what was I supposed to do? Red seriously clashes with blue.”
Jones continues by calling out a fellow classmate, criticizing her for her lack of action.
“Right after I saw that on Snapchat, I headed straight over to Instagram to find the first infographic to repost. Education and spreading awareness is so crucial when it comes to issues like these. Plus, it can really reveal the true colors of those around you. I noticed that Kendall James never reposted any infographics on Instagram. Kendall has been my friend for 6 years, but I couldn't bear to even look at her after this.”
We reached out to James for a statement, and this is what she responded with.
“It's probably because my graduation cap and gown is red, and she was mad that my caption would be better than hers.”
Our investigators noted that James’ caption of reference was as follows:
“graduation was lit”
Jones’ concern extended beyond social media. At school, Jones has started SOS, Save Our Seniors, a club that focuses on wildfire prevention— specifically in areas where seniors are known to take their senior pictures. Their club meets every third Tuesday, and they occasionally host Saturday events to make up for girls who haven’t posted a Senior Sunday yet. On her club flyer, she writes:
“Attention all seniors (and juniors who care about the SUSTAINABILITY of our future)! We must stop the wildfire crisis and SAVE OUR SENIORS! Meet in room 2318 for drinks (no plastic straws) to discuss. #SOS”
One of our field agents recently had the chance to sit in on the latest SOS meeting. The students in attendance started by passing around a petition titled, “Petition to get rid of all matchsticks by burning them”. Then, they put together their efforts to create an Instagram account with a GoFundMe* link in the bio. Specific girls were assigned weekly tasks to create an infographic and respective caption. Finally, they concluded their meeting by taking a group picture for the Instagram's first post.
As the nation watches California undergo difficult times, it is students like Gabby Jones that truly create positive change in their community and set the world on fire.
*all proceeds from the GoFundMe were pledged to go to creating a new, inflammable senior picture shooting location.
Published in Clear Springs High School Literary Magazine 2022
