By Alexandra Santilles & Jessamyn Guinanao
To educate participants on sustainability and waste management through plastic reuse, FEPS (Al Shahba) participated in the Khor Fakkan Plastic Boat Competition organized by Sharjah Youth on March 4, 2023, at Al Rafisah Dam in Sharjah.
With the theme “Today for Tomorrow,” Sharjah Youth spearheaded a plastic boat competition to coincide with the declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. Among the 26 competing boats, FEPSian contestants exhibited three functional boats: two from the boys’ block and one from the girls. The boat-making journey involved months of bottle collection and piecing them together to build sustainable vessels.
After the opening ceremony on March 4, participants were briefed about the route and safety measures in place. Steering the boats were the venturous Grade 10 students Carl Reb Munsayac and Kenji Aquino for 10A, Jac Omac and John Lloyd Paderes for 10B, and Jessamyn Guinanao and Fouzia Khan for 10C and D.
In the male category, 10A racers finished third but ultimately conquered the Championship, with boat designs also considered. 10C and D’s racers followed moments later, becoming the first and only boat in the female category to reach the finish line. They consequently earned the titles of Champion and First Runner-Up, respectively.
As the day ended, so did the competition. Students enjoyed demonstrating how everyday trash can hold a wealth of treasures. With newfound experiences comes a renewed sense of responsibility to uphold the significance of sustainability.
