Audrey is a curious thirteen-year-old, searching for kids in the Rochester area who are doing big things.
Today she interviews eleven-year-old Olivia Tatar, who organizes an annual Earth Day event. She is also an animal over and feels strongly about preserving their habitats. Olivia is in fifth grade at Pal-Mac Intermediate School. She has a nine-year-old sister, Elena, and three cats.
What gave you the idea to organize a cleanup day for your school grounds?
I have always cared about a lot of things; I value everything. I read a lot of books about extinctions, and I’ve been thinking about ways I can make a positive impact.
What did you have to do to plan for this event?
I had to speak to my principal to get bags and gloves for classrooms and to organize the morning where the school was called together. My teachers and the custodial staff provided some materials, and my best friend, Serenity, was there to help me through the entire thing.
What did you learn doing this event?
I learned that it’s easy to underestimate people. I thought that no one would be interested in doing something like this, and more people were interested than I thought.
Have you done anything like this in the past?
For the past two years I have hosted a cleanup. In fourth grade I created a mural in my school hallway from bottle caps that were collected by students. It reflects the true beauty of something as simple as cleaning up and preserving.
How did you come up with the idea for the mural?
I wanted to make this cleanup into something that was more noticeable and could be admired by other students. I went to my nana’s house one day and she showed me a bottle cap mural on her computer. I wanted it to become a reality.
What are your future goals or the next event you would plan?
In middle school I know comes more responsibility. Next year, I want to do a fundraiser to get a recycling program for the intermediate school. If that is already done, I’d like to hold a fundraiser for animal shelters.
What’s your favorite food?
Mac and cheese!
Do you have any hobbies or secret talents?
I really like to bead; I like crafts. I also feel like I have a passion for reading— it’s one of my favorite things—and I feel like I’m pretty good at art.
What’s your favorite book?
The Warriors series by Erin Hunter.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I really like animals; I’ve always wanted to be a vet.
“We only have one earth. We only have it for so long. So we might as well take care of it while we have it.” —Olivia Tatar
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