Coco, 2nd Grade - Mother Nature

The inspiration for Coco’s outfit comes from Moana, an animated movie about climate change which shows how leading from the heart with courage can preserve humanity. Coco’s outfit represents Tafiti, the mother of all creation who breathed life into the island. By making little changes, everyone can contribute to smaller carbon footprint and this begins by working together. The flowers and strips on Coco’s dress are made from plastic bags.

Niko, 1st Grade - Paradise Flying Snake

Niko is dressed as a paradise flying snake that lives in Southeast Asia. He picked it because it looks cool and can glide 300 feet at a time from the tall trees in Thailand, Borneo and other places. It eats lizards and bats, and is not endangered but many of the habitats where it lives have pollution and deforestation to make room for oil palm plantations. We can help by not buying products with palm oil and supporting green energy technology like solar or wind. Niko's outfit is made from second hand clothing, soda can tabs, plastic utensils, and bottle tops.

Robert, 5th Grade - Smooth Green Snake

Robert is a Smooth Green snakes. These snakes plays an important role in the ecosystem because they influence the populations of their insect prey and serve as a food source for predators like hawks, crows and foxes. Smooth Green snakes have been declining in numbers. This is mainly the result of habitat destruction and pesticide use. Because their diet is mainly insects, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of insecticides that are widely sprayed in agricultural areas. To save these snakes, say no to monsanto! Robert used an old curtain fabric stuffed with used newspaper plus an old hat he wore at last year’s fashion show to make his outfit.

Vivienne, 3rd Grade - Peacock Spider

Vivienne’s outfit is based on the Peacock Spider also referred to as “Sparklemuffin Spider.” It was discovered in Australia in 2011. She was inspired by them because they are very colorful, often having cool designs, and love the way they dance to impress another spider. Also, it’s so interesting to know that there are still new species of animals being discovered even today. Nature is amazing! Vivienne's outfit is made of cardboard from packages that have been shipped to her house, bringing to light the excessive amount of packaging materials being used in today’s online market shopping. If we can, let’s try to shop local and bring your reusable containers and bags.

Bianca, 1st Grade - Indian Elephant

Bianca is an Indian elephant, one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant. The Asian elephant has been listed as endangered and is threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. Hunting elephants for ivory is a serious threat in some parts of Asia which is extremely sad and needs to come to an end. To protect this charming animal we need to also protect their natural habitat by taking care of Mother Earth in our everyday life! Bianca’s outfit is made with tape, old clothes, unfinished old knitting project, some foam and a few creative ways to recycle her old Halloween costumes - her ears use to be butterfly wings!

Khloe, 2nd Grade - Doe

Khloe is a doe, a female deer. Deers are widely distributed, with indigenous representatives in all continents except Antarctica and Australia, though Africa has only one native deer, the Barbary stag. Though deer are beautiful, ecological impacts of high deer densities is negatively affecting the lush and diverse forest vegetation and indirectly impacting wildlife. For example, in a forest where the understory has been largely eaten by deer, habitat for birds requiring a thick understory will decline. In order to control deer population, we need to practice better land and forest management. For Khloe’s doe outfit, she is wearing a brown leotard she used for ballet. She also used white felt, pom poms and made “deer” ears with some felt, feathers and tree branches/twigs we picked some from the park.

Nicole, 4th Grade - Horse

Nicole's passion for horses was born through general love of animals. From her early years she started begging her parents to sign up for lessons.Today, with pride, she can admit that any holidays or free days from school she spends it horseback riding. Her favorite riding spots are Babylon Riding Center in West Babylon and Woodlands Stable in Pennsylvania. Our relationship with horses spans thousands of years and dozens of cultures, and we can say with complete certainty that we would not be where we are as a world without the horse. Nicole believes that if we all can learn to love animals the way that she does, then we will do more to keep them safe. Nicole’s outfit is made from old sheets, toilet paper rolls and some string.

Eva, 4th Grade - Bengal Tiger

Eva is a Bengal Tiger. She chose this animal because it is a beautiful creature and it is also an endangered species. They live in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. In 2014, there were less than 2,225 tigers left. The Bengal tiger is endangered because of hunters and the habitats where the tiger lives are being destroyed by humans. We have to do our best to protect these beautiful creatures before they disappear. I love animals and I want to be a veterinarian. I do not want to see the Bengal Tiger become extinct. Eva’s outfit is made from an old pajama, orange and black duct tape, used plastic tablecloths, some white gift tissue, and her hair place holder.

Alicja, 5th Grade (with mom, Joanna) - Orangutan

Alicja represents an orangutan, and her mom is her habitat. Orangutans are found in the rain forests of the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo, which are listed as endangered; and in the island of Sumatra, where they are considered critically endangered. Orangutans are threatened by rapid deforestation and devastation of their habitat, mainly due to palm oil and other agricultural plantations. Young orangutans, in particular, are also imperiled by the illegal pet trade and mothers often killed as poachers snatch their young. We should focus on securing landscapes for major orangutan habitats, promoting sustainable forestry and stopping illegal wildlife trade. Alicja’s outfit is made mainly by Fresh Direct bags and straps, and also paper and twigs. Her mom’s outfit is made with paper mache, some additional items they found at home.

Isabel, 1st Grade - Snowy Owl

Isabel was inspired by the Snowy Owl “Hedwig” from Harry Potter. The real owls are native to Arctic regions in North America and Eurasia. Snowy Owls have a magical reputation but in reality, they are at risk. In 2017 they were added to the endangered species list as a vulnerable species. Snowy owls are facing threats from climate change, as changing temperatures affect both their habitat and their prey. We must do everything we can to lower our greenhouse gas emissions and stop climate change so these beautiful birds continue to thrive. Isabel’s outfit was constructed from daddy’s old tee shirts and plastic grocery bags.

Ellis, 4th Grade - Peacock

Ellis is walking the runway as a peacock. Not only are peacocks the national bird of India, but they also stand for compassion, benevolence, knowledge, and kindness in Hinduism. The colorful peacocks we know and love are actually all males. Like most bird species, the females, peahens in this case, have dull colors. Many peacocks live in the forests of India and they eat everything from grains, seeds, insects, and small snakes. Peacocks have the most beautiful feathers and they also have the loudest bird call. Ellis's outfit is made from her mom’s old Pantone color chips, plastic shopping bags, and yarn.

Claudia, Kindergarten - Scarlet Macaw

Claudia is an Ara Macao, also known as the Scarlet macaw. They can be found in southern Mexico, Central America, South America and the Amazon basin. They live high in the canopy of rainforest habitats and eats fruits and nuts. Scarlet macaws are important seed predators of large tree fruits in the ecosystems. They may influence the generation of forest tree species. The habitat of scarlet macaws is threatened due to forest destruction in the deep rainforest habitats where they live. Also, poachers seek out the parrots and will even cut down the tree where the nest is located to access the young. We have to stop cutting trees and let them live in freedom. To make her outfit, Claudia reused paper, used some fabric and and old dress… and feathers.

Pola, Kindergarten (with mom, Daria) - Woodpeckers

Pola and her mom are Ivory-billed woodpeckers! They live in woodland habitats in Southeastern part of the U.S. and in Cuba. The Ivory-billed woodpeckers are the largest woodpecker in the world, measuring roughly 20 inches and 30 inches, wing to wing. An average lifespan of a wild woodpecker is 4 to 12 years and their diet consists of mostly insects. Woodpeckers are known for their pecking on trees known as "drumming". They are very important to the ecosystem because they control insect population and most importantly create nest cavities that are used by other birds and mammal that simply cannot excavate the cavities themselves. Woodpeckers are protected by state and federal laws, which means they cannot be captured or harmed but due to destruction of habitat and hunting, Ivory-billed woodpeckers are becoming extinct. Pola and her mom used recycled cardboard boxes and paper bags to make their outfits.

Hannah, 1st Grade - Pink Dolphin

Hannah is a Pink Amazon River Dolphin. These magnificent creatures are the largest species of river dolphin, some of whom sport a sleek pink hue. Sadly they are also endangered due to habitat loss as humans disrupt their homes. Today's river dolphin is playfully splashing out of the water. Hannah’s outfit is largely fashioned from plastic recycling bags, re-purposed clothes and an old Christmas decor makes up her crown.

Cielo, 3rd Grade - Blue Ring Octopus

Cielo is a blue ring octopus. She learned about this unique animal when she visited Okinawa Island in Japan last summer. It’s very beautiful and so small, about the size of a golf ball, but it is extremely poisonous and so we are not allowed to touch it. She was memorized by the beautiful blue and yellow body. She chose to be this blue ring octopus because Cielo thinks we should respect these exotic animals in the deep blue sea. She used used Nespresso coffee capsules for the octopus suckers and the body. She also used hologram cellophane to make it shine like ocean creatures in water. Cielo used fat yarn for octopus legs and used wires to keep its shape.

Lourdes, 4th Grade - Octopus

Lourdes chose to be an octopus because they are amazing creatures that have three hearts, which she believes mean that they have more love to share with humans and the animal kingdom. Octopuses have amazing predator skills, have nine brains and they have eight legs!! However, these smart and miraculous animals are in danger of becoming extinct because of the pollution in their habitat. Our garbage ends up in the ocean, toxins sometimes end up there too. Octopuses are also being hunted by people to make food and that causes them to die, but she really wants them to live. So let’s keep our water clean by reducing our waste and stop eating these legendary creatures...TOGETHER, LET’S SAVE THE OCTOPUS!! Lourdes’ outfit is made out of Ikea bags, aluminum sheets foil and silver tape.

Philip, 5th Grade - Beaked Whale

Ever since he was a child, Philip has loved and enjoyed all types of wildlife. So when he read an article about a Cuvier’s Beaked Whale who died by swallowing an unbelievable amount of plastic, he knew he wanted to tell that story. These whales are found in deep pelagic waters and even though they are ranked as non-endangered animals, they might become one if we continue to pollute our waters. In hope to spread word of this situation, Philip and his family constructed a whale using only recyclable and compostable material. The base was made from cardboard and coated with a couple layers of paper mache. His flashy fins and tail were made from old jeans. The garbage near his mouth represents the tons of rubbish that whales swallow each year. Throughout his whole project, Philip maintained one priority; showing how our irresponsibility and carelessness can harm and kill our marine wildlife.

Neneh, Kindergarten - Golden Jellyfish

Neneh always liked Jellyfishes because they are beautiful. One time, she saw a special on tv about Palau’s Jellyfish Lake. There were millions of non-stinging jellyfish in the lake that you can swim with. But the famous Jellyfish lake is running out of golden jellyfish because the lake was hit by El Nino in 1998 and that caused the rise in water temperature that led to a decrease in algae growth, which is what the jellyfish ate. This makes Neneh so sad, because she would love to swim with them in Palau oneday. To make her outfit, she used a translucent umbrella with some lights installed. Neneh also used hologram cellophane, bubble wrap, yogurt drink lids and containers that she has been collecting.

Lydia, 4th Grade - Comb Jellyfish

Lydia’s inspiration was a jellyfish because they are such interesting and cool creatures. As a matter of fact, you can find jellyfish right here in Newtown Creek! There are Moon Jellys and Comb Jellys among other marine wildlife coming back to the Creek. If we curb our litter and keep our waterways clean, I bet there will be even more wildlife. Lydia made her costume out of an old umbrella, plastic bags, Saran Wrap, and bubble wrap. All of these materials were things she found at home, about to be thrown out.

Ella, 4th Grade - Sea Nettle Jellyfish

Ella is a Sea Nettle Jellyfish. The hazard of plastic bags in the ocean is greater than ever before. It is estimated that every year, 4-5 trillion plastic bags are used world wide. It usually takes 10-20 years for a plastic bag to decompose. Some types of bags can take up to 1000 years to breakdown. Plastic bags kill many different types of marine life. Sea turtles mistake floating plastic bags for their prey, the jellyfish. It is important for all of us to think about the effects plastic bags have on the environment. We can all help by vowing not to use plastic bags and take along our own reusable bags when we go shopping. Ella’s outfit is made out of an old umbrella and recycled plastic bags.

Julia, 5th Grade and her sister, Melanie, Kindergarten - Box Jellyfish

Julia and Melanie are sisters and they are box jellyfish. Did you know, box jellyfish are considered the most deadliest marine animal? Their venom contains toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. Their life span is on average of one year and can get as large as 10 feet! They light up because they use it as defense against predators. Box jellyfish populations have spiked in recent years, possibly due to climate change, spillage of fertilizers that deplete oxygen in oceans, and overfishing. Since fish are the primary predators of jellyfish and those factors kill off fish, box jellyfish are finding it easier to survive and reproduce. This deadly animal can become a big problem if the imbalance continues. To make these outfits Julia and Melanie used bubble wrap, plastic umbrella, plastic cups, foil and paper cups.