Sadie Eubanks was raised in Athens and within the University of Georgia environment, with both of her parents being a part of the faculty. Now, the Clarke Central High School alumna has created her own impact on the university.

As a freshman, Eubanks immersed herself in campus activities and community engagement, joining a sustainability initiative, teaching at Canopy — an Athens nonprofit dedicated to aerial dance trapeze — and serving as a hostess at Chuck’s Fish downtown. She has kept close ties with many of her friends from Clarke Central who are now students at UGA. Her upbringing in Athens has also facilitated her in introducing new friends to the city’s cultural scene: guiding them to downtown eateries and eco-friendly shopping venues while encouraging them to support local businesses.

“I was initially uncertain about attending UGA. However, I think that growing up in Athens provided me with a unique advantage. I believe it prepared me more effectively for my collegiate journey, which has so far surpassed my expectations,” Eubanks stated.

One of the key aspects of Eubanks’ first year has been her involvement with the EcoReps — a select student organization that requires an application for membership. Eubanks discovered this opportunity during UGA’s residence hall move-in week, when she volunteered to assist in the disposal of plastic and recycling waste generated during the move-in process. She attributes her connection to Sarah Kate Hatley, the University Housing sustainability coordinator.

“I truly appreciated my time with Sarah Kate, and when she mentioned EcoReps, it seemed like a seamless progression into the sustainability realm,” Eubanks remarked.

“Sadie is one of the most hopeful individuals I have encountered, which is a crucial trait when working in any aspect of sustainability, whether it be social, environmental, or economic,” Hatley noted. “Over the last semester, I’ve observed her engage with numerous students in the hall during tabling events, genuinely sparking their interest because anything Sadie is enthusiastic about, she can inspire others to become passionate about as well.”

The EcoReps meet every two weeks with advisors to learn about local sustainability resources and projects. They utilize this knowledge as peer advocates, organizing programming and crafting informative bulletin boards. For instance, EcoReps collaborate with resident assistants, establishing friendly contests within the dorms and rewarding the most active groups with incentives such as pizza parties. EcoReps can earn experiential learning credits, take part in an overnight camping retreat, and attend the Southeastern EcoRep conference. Additionally, each EcoRep organizes and hosts their own event during the spring semester.

Eubanks conducted her event on the afternoon of March 27 on the Tate West Lawn, centering it around sustainable fashion at UGA. Before entering college, she was unaware of the rampant overconsumption associated with clothing. Now that she comprehends it more deeply, she aims to assist her peers in understanding why fast fashion is detrimental to society and the environment while promoting Athens businesses that offer more sustainable shopping alternatives. To enhance her outreach, Eubanks collaborated with other campus organizations, including Greek Life.

“Collaborations with other campus groups are particularly thrilling because they allow us to extend our efforts to a broader audience, beyond those who are already enthusiastic about sustainability. Sustainable options are much more accessible on campus than many realize, especially with the university’s backing. Furthermore, sustainability encompasses far more than merely avoiding plastic straws, which is often how it is simplified. Food, architecture, computer science, and of course fashion, all intersect with sustainability. There is something for every student,” Eubanks explained.

Following the EcoReps’ strategy of utilizing off-campus resources to bolster sustainability on campus, Eubanks’ event highlighted UGA’s collaboration with Athens-Clarke County’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM). This facility serves as a single drop-off point for items that cannot be recycled due to their chemical composition, hazardous elements, size, or other factors. CHaRM collects these materials for repurposing, recycling, and safe disposal.

Eubanks is aware that many students do not realize that packaging waste from fast fashion retailers should not be discarded in regular recycling or trash bins but rather should be brought to CHaRM. Thus, she helped inform students that they have the option to redirect packing materials from landfills themselves, right on campus, by showing them the ChaRM drop-off location situated on the second floor of the Miller Learning Center.

“EcoReps does an exceptional job at addressing sustainability issues on campus and utilizing off-campus resources to tackle them, and this is just one instance,” Eubanks stated.

The March 27 event, which offered complimentary food to participants, fostered community among students and equipped them with information and tools to make more sustainable choices — fulfilling the mission of the EcoReps. For Eubanks, active engagement and fostering a sense of community around sustainability has been invigorating and has provided her with a renewed sense of hope.

“Even though we discuss serious subjects, we’ve managed to enjoy ourselves while also making a significant impact in the community,” she remarked.

“Dedicated students are a driving force for sustainability efforts at UGA,” stated Kevin Kirsche, director of sustainability at UGA. “Students like Sadie motivate and implement thoughtful initiatives that pave the way for a more resilient, secure, and sustainable future for everyone.”

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