Beach cleanup a winner
A Nelson teenager’s efforts to protect animals have seen her scoop a national award, and recognition from the prime minister.
Nelson College for Girls student Sophie Weenink Smith has been crowned winner of the Think Kind competition run by the New Zealand Vegetarian Society, after organising a big cleanup at Ta¯ hunanui Beach to help marine life.
Weenink Smith saw off competition from around 200 entries from young people across the country to win the annual competition, which encourages students to ‘‘use their unique talents’’ to help animals.
The cleanup earlier this year saw 200 kilograms of rubbish removed from the beach.
‘‘It really bothers me that marine life is hurt by thoughtless decisions made by humans,’’ Weenink Smith, 14, said. ‘‘Now I have a big database of people to help me with more cleanups.’’
The year nine student was ‘‘very excited’’ that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met her to acknowledge the project.
She has also been invited to be a youth leader by charity the Ministry of Inspiration, and won $1000 for her school, donated by the late Linda McCartney.
The cleanup was supported by the Nelson City Council and not-forprofit organisation Keep New Zealand Beautiful. The Nelson Fire Service also helped, and a vegan barbecue was held afterwards for the helpers.
‘‘It was important to me that it was vegan, so no animals would be hurt for the sake of a barbecue,’’ Weenink Smith said. ‘‘I loved the positive feedback about the food, and had lots of people asking where to buy [it].’’
More than 10,000 people voted in the competition, with entries including stories, essays, a website, educational videos, a letter to the prime minister that received a reply, and a scratch coding project.
Viktoria Lencses Spear, one of the Think Kind judges, said they had their work cut out.
‘‘We were so impressed with the entries we received this year, and with the number of schools that participated. It was tough choosing the finalists.’’