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Girl Gone Green Throughout her childhood, Senior Kat Riggs was taught how to care for the environment. Now, as president of Green Team, she works with students to educate others about the importance living a sustainable lifestyle. BY LIV ZENDER WEB EDITOR IN CHIEF
photo submitted by Kat Riggs
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enior Kat Riggs took a deep breath and cleared her throat. She ran through her mental list of points to make and things to say, stood up, and addressed her club. Riggs joined Green Team her freshman year as the only underclassmen. Little did she know that a year later she would be standing in front of the same club, but with more members and as the president. As Riggs transitioned from a shy participant to a strong leader with goals for the club and the school, her leadership skills were put to the test. Being president of the Green
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Team club was Rigg’s first real taste of leadership, but not of her passion towards environmental advocacy. “I took a risk with taking on that role,” Riggs said. “I’d never done anything like that before…[the club] has gotten a lot bigger which is really exciting. And this year my sister Ellie and Lauren Shaw are co-vice presidents.” Riggs was raised in a home focused on the importance of preserving and appreciating nature while working to reduce one’s environmental footprint. From her parents encouraging her
to spend time outside, Riggs quickly gained a passion for the outdoors and followed her parents footsteps as environmentalists. Another influence on Riggs’s passion for the environment was watching her dad’s performances as Eco-Elvis. Eco-Elvis is a version of Elvis Presley who performs environmentally-focused versions of Elvis Presley’s top hits. Listening to her dad’s aka Eco-Elvis’s songs as a child inspired her to maintain her advocacy for the good of the environment. “I feel like when I doubt the importance of my work [with Green