Westfield High School Student Wins Scholarship For Climate Activism

WESTFIELD, NJ — Growing up, Westfield High School senior Ashley Hu had her mind set on pursuing a career as a doctor.

But the more she learned about the climate crisis, she realized her passions lied elsewhere.

Hu was recently awarded the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation (NSHSS) Earth Day Scholarship for her environmental activism and her commitment to raising awareness about climate issues in the community.

Hu was one of 10 students to be awarded with a $500 scholarship.

"When I was very young, I used to say, 'when I grow up, I want to save the planet,'" Hu said.

But it wasn't until her junior year of high school that Hu became involved in activism. She joined the environmental club at school and soon after became involved with Westfield's Green Team — a group of volunteers and residents who work with the mayor and Town Council to develop and implement plans to make Westfield more sustainable.

When Hu first joined the Green Team, she realized that none of the members were Gen Zs or even Millennials. She knew this was something that needed to be changed.

"There really was no super official, town-sponsored group that was geared towards kids," Hu said. "And there was not a lot of outreach focused on teaching kids about climate change and pollution when clearly this is an issue that will affect them and their kids in the future."

As a result, Hu decided to form a group run by and for students, called the Green Team Student Auxiliary. This group provides opportunities for students to learn more about climate issues, participate in volunteer activities and lead local initiatives.

Hu said there are currently about 15 students involved in the group and many of them run their own clubs in their respective schools.

Helping to organize Westfield's annual Free Market has been one of the most memorable events that Hu said she has taken part of with the Green Team. The Free Market allows people to donate used things, such as clothing, kitchen appliances, furniture to the Green Team.

The Green Team then sorts all of the items and displays them outside the train station parking lot. Residents can then stop by and shop for used items — all free of charge.

"It's almost like thrifting but just within our community," Hu explained.

Whatever is not taken during the free market is then donated to GreenDrop — an organization that converts lightly used clothing and household items into critical funds for various American charities.

This year's Free Market is set for Saturday, April 30 at the South Avenue train station lot.

Just last week, Hu was involved in the 'Live Greener' Earth Day Fair where each Green Team member ran their own booth and provided activities for kids, all while teaching them about different environmental issues.

The Student Auxiliary organized a fashion show at the event with all thrifted clothing. Hu herself strutted down a runway made out of grass, showing off her thrifted outfit.

Although Hu is graduating this year and will be heading off to Carnegie Mellon University, she is confident that the Student Auxiliary will continue for years to come.

"Organized communities can sometimes make the biggest differences, and the Student Auxiliary is how I hope to encourage younger students to get involved and change both our town, Westfield, and the world,” she said.

Hu said she plans to major in chemical engineering and eventually work in the renewable energy industry.

The NSHSS Foundation, which awarded Hu the scholarship, fosters the growth of graduates enrolled in the STEM, business, economics, public policy and environmental science and sustainability fields.

Through special programs, including the NSHSS Honor Society, the NSHSS Foundation connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth, and career interests.

For more information, visit https://nshssfoundation.org/.

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