Camryn Bir, junior at Revere High School (RHS), can be found giving a presentation about environmental issues to a classroom full of students. She spends their meetings focusing on prominent issues in the community and brainstorming ways to help eliminate these issues. 

Bir took her love and respect for the planet to a new level. She took the initiative to bring back “Project Planet” to RHS. Project Planet is a group that strives to help the environment and teach students how to make environmentally friendly decisions. 

Bir said why she decided to start up Project Planet again. Being involved in it in previous years, she knew how beneficial it was and then took the jump. 

“I joined Project Planet when I was a freshman because I really enjoy helping the planet, and it didn’t exist as a club when I was a sophomore, so I decided to restart it this year,” Bir said. 

Diane Gerspacher, French teacher at RHS and Project Planet’s adviser, explained what brought her to the position. 

“Camryn Bir asked me about it because this is the second reincarnation of the club, because the one they started a few years ago, I was the adviser for that. So that’s why I just continued,” Gerspacher said. 

Gerspacher brought up how important the Earth is to her and how she has a variety of niches that might have inspired the students to ask her to be the adviser.

“I’m definitely aware of my footprint on this Earth, and I try to minimize it as much as possible,” Gerspacher said.

Bir mentioned how Gerspacher’s help has assisted in the development of the club and how she looks to her as a mentor in the process. She also said how the school’s involvement has been very positive and makes her have high hopes for what is to come.

“Mrs. G’s support has really allowed [Project Planet] to come together and it’s really been inspiring to see positive responses from the students and faculty,” Bir said. 

Bir touched on what the purpose of Project Planet is and what she hopes it will do. She talked about how this unique club allows students to get informed and involved. 

“I want to educate students on environmental issues, so we do presentations. And I also want to empower people to contribute, help the planet themselves and provide opportunities for students to make a difference in our community, like volunteering,” Bir said.

Sophia Tabbaa, junior at RHS and member of Project Planet, also brought up the significance of the club and what their future plans are.

“It’s nothing like any of the other clubs at Revere. And it used to be a club a few years ago, so I think it’s good we brought it back. It brings causes to light and we’re going to go and do involvement things throughout the community and stuff to help the planet,” Tabbaa said.

Gerspacher touched on what Project Planet has done at their meetings so far and what they will continue to do. As of right now, their meetings are more informational sessions. This will continue, but in the future, they hope to take part in more volunteer events throughout the Revere community.

“The first couple meetings they’re kind of giving information about certain things that are happening and they asked other members what were the issues on their minds,” Gerspacher said. 

Bir talked about a specific volunteer event that deals with the group’s involvement in Project Pride, a community clean-up day that RHS students have the opportunity to take part in.

“I’m currently working with representatives from Richfield to find more ways to get high school volunteers involved with Project Pride in the community. So hopefully we’re going to have some volunteers helping distribute free trees and helping the clothing donation drive, as well as an electronic waste recycling drive,” Bir said.

Tabbaa addressed the kind of leader Bir is and what it is like having her as president of the club.

“She’s a really strong leader. She’s organized and vocal and she really takes a step up,” Tabbaa said.

Bir mentioned how Project Planet is open to anyone interested. She focused on the importance of the Earth and how it is necessary to protect it.

“Anyone can get involved. If you just want to learn more about the planet because everyone gets the things they need from the world around us. It’s important for people to give back and make sure that the Earth is preserved for future generations and the resources that we have,” Bir said.

Tabbaa with Bir saying that everyone is welcome to join Project Planet and they encourage anyone interested to reach out and try it. She talked about some qualities that members should have.

“They should care about the environment and ecosystems that aren’t around here,” Tabbaa said.

Gerspacher mentioned that the main goal of Project Planet is to inform people about things they can change in their day-to-day lives to help the planet. 

“The big piece would be to make students more aware of certain habits that they have that maybe aren’t environmentally friendly. I think the key is sometimes [that] you don’t know, you just don’t realize,” Gerspacher said.

Although this is just the start for Project Planet, Bir and the group have very high hopes and plans for the future. They will continue taking steps to help the Earth and inform the community about environmental issues.