Portsmouth High School’s Ecological Change Organization will be hosting their third annual Spring Market on May 11, from 10 am to 2 pm, at PHS.
According to Evy Douglass, a student at PHS and one of the senior ECO leaders, the Seacoast Spring Market is an event where local businesses, artisans, vendors, and students come together to sell their goods. The goals of the market are to raise money for PHS ECO, bring the community together, inform about sustainability, and help entrepreneurs to get on their feet.
The upcoming Seacoast Spring Market is ECO’s largest one yet, as they have 42 vendors this year, crushing numbers from previous years. Among the vendors you can find food, jewelry, upcycled clothing, art, and much more.
In addition to the vendors selling goods, there are also community organizations there to help teach about the environmental information that is so important to ECO. PHS ECO is a “student organization working to make our school and community more sustainable,” says Douglass.
“Community organizations like Seacoast Climate Action Now, and Climate Action NH come to help inform the community about different projects they are working on,” says Douglass.
PHS ECO also sets up a stand at the market where they sell different plants, flowers, and herbs, grown in PHS’s greenhouse. This is Douglass’ favorite part of the market.
With approximately 40 students involved, ECO is one of PHS’s largest student-led organizations. Hannah Dul, a staff member at PHS and the club advisor, says the organization is almost entirely student led, and she mainly sits back and signs papers when needed.
Dul became the advisor last year after the previous advisor, Kimberly Sanborn McGlinchey, left PHS. Dul appreciated the students ability to make it a fairly easy transition, as they are involved and welcoming.
Not only does the Seacoast Spring Market bring the community together and raise awareness about sustainability, but it is also ECO’s largest fundraiser. With the money raised, ECO is able to grow the school garden and greenhouse, and other projects such as the compost curriculum, and composting in the school cafeteria.
The event is located in the back parking lot of Portsmouth High School, the Spring Market is a great place to walk around and enjoy the warm weather. The numerous vendors make for an ideal place to shop and get ready for summer, as well as to find a perfect Mother’s Day gift. The food options also add a noteworthy perk, enjoy the delicious home baked goods, or a yummy lunch from the food truck.
“I think it’s [the spring market] a great opportunity to put yourself out there, make a little bit of money, and also you get to support a great cause,” says Gabe Weinrieb, a PHS senior and vendor who will be selling his photos at the market.
For more information about the Seacoast Spring Market visit the website.
