January 18, 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON…WILLOW PHELPS!!! When Willow Phelps was in fourth grade, she was named Kid of the Year by the ASPCA (the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). She had been caring for animals for years—not just the assortment of pets she had at home, but all kinds of animals all over the world! She had done 5K runs, mile-long swims, and sewn and sold catnip toys to raise over $15,000 for different causes. Some of the causes she raised money for include homeless pet owners, chimps in Liberia, orcas in aquariums, and senior shelter pets. One of Willow’s special projects happened close to home. At her school carnival every year, there was a booth where students threw ping pong balls at goldfish in glass bowls. If they hit a bowl, they got to take home a goldfish in a bag. This didn’t seem right to Willow! “Goldfish can hear really well,” she explained, “so when they hear those ping pong balls pinging against their bowls, it probably hurts them and scares them. And then when they got home, a lot of them might not have the right care.” Willow not only got her school to stop the goldfish booth, but she also raised the money to make up for what the school used to earn at the booth. Now Willow’s in seventh grade and she’s still throwing herself into helping animals and the environment. Over the last couple years, climate change has hit close to home for Willow, who is a competitive swimmer. Her swim team had to cancel their season because the lake they swim in became infested with blue algae bloom, which is unsafe to swim in. And then the surf camp she attends every summer, Girls Wave Riding Surf School was cancelled because of a hurricane. Both hurricanes and blue algae bloom are made worse by climate change. But Willow’s not just going to sit around and watch while climate change threatens the activities she loves, and even more importantly, the habitat of the animals she adores. She has marched for climate change awareness in New York City, and is part of a lawsuit against the federal government over climate change. How cool is that?! Go Willow! I know Willow is just getting started and I can’t wait to see what she does next! What’s something that you’re really passionate about? What are some things you can do to start spreading awareness about that topic? Enlighten us in the comments section below!
emotionalsort says January 19, 2021 at 9:17 am Wow…. I am in 4th grade and I still struggle to tie my shoe.
Dork 4 EVER!!! says January 19, 2021 at 9:16 am Wow willow,I love animails to but idk how to help them.This gives me so much ideas!
Swimmerlishes says January 19, 2021 at 9:03 am I am really passionate about teaching . In fact a couple weeks before lock down started I taught a six year old how to skate on her own .
Willows fans says January 19, 2021 at 9:03 am Wow, Willow you are an AMAZING person! Gooooooooooooo WILLOW!!!
Spanglish Nerd Bookworm says January 19, 2021 at 8:41 am Willow makes an awesome job ! You know Nikki , for Christmas I got from my uncle the Cursed Child book , I read it and a checked the opinions in Google and I realized that many people dislike it. I didn’t see anything wrong but I started changing a bit the book so people will like it. That something I will try with any book that people dislike and I get the chance to read for making it better.
Xbreelee says January 19, 2021 at 8:09 am Wow that is A-W-E-S-O-M-E awesome, awesome, awesome are you Willow Phelps!! (that was a cheer) Keep up the Good Work
happy girl cool says January 19, 2021 at 8:01 am wow! i love animals too! i think its so cool that she did all this! go Willow!
Willows is so awesome says January 19, 2021 at 7:39 am Wow you’re such an inspiration willow. everyone should be encouraged to what you’re trying to do (or something like it ). 🙂
Puppy lover says January 19, 2021 at 7:01 am Go girl! I love animals, and ur an inspiration! I would love to be like u!
Candy Queen says January 19, 2021 at 7:00 am Go Willow, can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
Animal dork says January 19, 2021 at 6:44 am Willow is now my idol, I love animals but I don’t know what I can do to help them.
Animaldork says January 19, 2021 at 5:32 am I love horses and dogs sooooooooo much!!!! Well she seems very nice to animals a few years ago my dog died his name was sam
Hufflepuff badger says January 19, 2021 at 5:10 am Wow go willow! I’m planning to do a petition to ban plastic bags in my town after lockdown
Dork Vader says January 19, 2021 at 4:17 am I started a group that helps the planet about 2 years ago! Ever since we had over 100 members! We did 1 fundraiser and we raised over 600 euro! ( It was my BFFs idea for the fundraiser! ) and everytime i see some one being me to nature/animals i give the a stern lecture about how what the are doing is wrong!