Junior High Students Aim to Save Polar Bears, Environment

A group of  School students are creating recycled denim “java jackets” that will help residents accessorize coffee cups—and help save the world.

Eighth grade students in teacher Heather Nyapas’ gifted program are busy sewing the coffee cup protectors that help people when their beverages may be a little too hot to handle.

All of the material for the project is used from old jeans donated by the students and faculty.

“A lot of people just throw away their jeans when they outgrow them,” said Riley Aul, 13, of Wilkins Township. “I searched on the Internet to find different ways to recycle jeans, and also thought with the java jackets, those are usually cardboard and mostly thrown away, too.”

The project is in conjunction with the group's efforts in the , which is designed to give students a hand in saving the polar bears.

Each group that participates finds a new way to reduce their carbon footprints, and allows them to take that idea out into the community. The students hope to sell their denim java jackets at area coffee shops.

“Through this project, they really find ways to get the public involved,” Nyapas said. “They also are working on a holiday flier to help people be more green with tips, including timers for Christmas lights, recycling Christmas trees and those types of things.”

Jeremy Pike, 14, of Churchill also said the denim coffee cup “jackets” are pleasing to the eye.

“They look better than cardboard,” Pike said. “I am hoping we can do stuff to help the community, reduce waste and create something better for the economy.”

Mitchell Mroczkowski, 14, of said it’s all about spreading the word.

“I want to get more awareness into the community about what the Polar Bear Project does,” he said.

In addition to eventually selling the java jackets, with all proceeds going to the national Polar Bear Project, they also will sell polar bear t-shirts for $10, designed last year by  of , who has graduated and now attends

Sydney Kaboly, 13, of Forest Hills has one of her favorite animals in mind when it comes to being involved in the group.

“I want to help save the polar bears,” Kaboly said. “They are so cute.”

Aul added that the project will help people, too.

“The earth is our home, so we need to take care of it,” she said.