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By Rayna Laiosa, Chair, Hawthorne Environmental Commission/Green Team; Greg Poff, Township Manager, Randolph Township; Michele Gaynor, ANJEC Resource Center; and Julie Lange Groth, ANJEC Report Editor Hawthorne applauds environmental leadership Upcycle Fashion displayed at Hawthorne's 32nd Cel-Earth-Bration event held in April. From left, Natali Saleh; Rayna Laiosa, EC/Green Team Chair; Saja Alhoms; Mayor John V Lane, Borough of Hawthorne; Mary Mahon, Hawthorne EC Vice Chair; and Teacher Theresa DiGeronimo Photo by Rayna Laiosa “Think Globally, Act Locally” was the theme of a June presentation by Hawthorne students to the town's Environmental Commission (EC) showcasing their environmental projects. Certain local businesses and residents also received special recognition for their leadership and commitment to protecting and preserving the community's natural resources. The EC reviewed highlights of their 32nd Cel-Earth-Bration event held in April, where first prize winner Maggie Giacchetti, a third grader from Jefferson Elementary School, presented her project “Explore Hawthorne Places.” Hawthorne High School STEM students Ryan Corella, Joshua Duran, Nathan Gaehring, Jacob Hernandez and Medrit Veliu also presented their project “DownSpout Dynamo,” in which the 6 ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024 students sought to test the viability of “gutter power” as a sustainable energy source by placing a hydroelectric converter inside a rain downspout to transfer waterpowered energy to a storage battery. The team was coached by math teacher Michele Phibbs and library media specialist Theresa DiGeronimo and was mentored by volunteers from New Era Engineering, Rayna Laiosa from the Hawthorne EC and STEAM Tank subject matter experts. The students earned second place in the statewide NJ School Board Association's STEAM Tank Challenge, earning their school $1,500. Students Saja Alhoms, Blake Preiskines, Natali Saleh, Rowyn Simmermon and Emma Damstra presented their “Upcycle Fashion Dress,” created with old SAT