An independent, college preparatory, co-ed, Episcopal Day School serves a community of students in grades 6-12.
Issue link: http://palmertrinityschool.uberflip.com/i/1536142
C A I T I WA K S A D D S A N O T HE R O V E R F L O W IN G T R A S H B A G T O A G R O W IN G M O UN TA IN O F D E B R I S — PA R T O F T HE 5 0 0 + P O UND S C O L L E C T E D D UR IN G A C L E A NUP AT E L L I O T T K E Y, A R E M O T E I S L A ND IN B I S C AY NE N AT I O N A L PA R K . C A R R IE D BY T HE G UL F S T R E A M , T R A S H F R O M A R O UND T HE W O R L D WA S HE S A S H O R E HE R E , HI G HL I G H T IN G T HE UR G E N T NE E D F O R O C E A N C ON S ER VAT I ON EF F OR T S . G UE S T S P O S E F O R A P H O T O A F T E R T HE " P L A S T I C I S S C A R Y " C L E A NUP IN C O C O NU T G R O V E , W HE R E PA R T I C IPA N T S N O T O NLY R E M O V E D L I T T E R F R O M T HE A R E A B U T A L S O T O O K PA R T IN A C R E AT I V E C O S T UME S WA P. BY T R A D IN G C O S T UME S , AT T E ND E E S F O UND S O ME T HIN G NE W A ND E XC I T IN G F O R H A L L O W E E N W HIL E R E D U C IN G WA S T E A ND P R O M O T IN G S U S TA IN A B L E C E L E B R AT I O N S . PA L MER TRINIT Y SUPPOR TED M Y IDE A S A ND INITI ATI V E S FROM THE S TA R T. TH AT K IND OF ENC OUR AGEMENT IS SO EMPOW ERING, IT HEL PED SH A PE M Y C ONFIDENCE IN CRE ATING RE A L CH A NGE . CAITLIN (POMERANCE) WAKS '07 During her time at Palmer Trinity, Caiti also participated in a life- changing service trip to La Chureca, a large garbage dump in Nicaragua where families lived in dire conditions. Witnessing the human impact of waste disposal solidified her commitment to tackling environmental issues on a systemic level. After graduating from PTS, Caiti pursued a B.A. in Ecosystem Science and Policy at the University of Miami, followed by a J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, specializing in coastal and marine law and policy. While in law school, she worked in the Conservation Clinic, helping establish a marine protected area in The Bahamas and collaborating with nonprofits like the Surfrider Foundation and Audubon Florida. In 2014, Caiti co-founded Debris Free Oceans, focusing on holistic waste solutions that empower communities to adopt zero- waste lifestyles. Unlike traditional environmental movements that relied on fear-based messaging, Caiti and her team wanted to take a positive reinforcement approach, fostering a sense of community and empowerment. Over the past decade, Debris Free Oceans has educated over 15,000 students, mobilized 12,000 volunteers to remove 64,000+ pounds of trash, hosted 500+ zero-waste events, and eliminated over 2 million disposable items. Her newest initiative with Debris Free Oceans is Zero Waste Miami, a coalition of businesses, institutions, and government entities working together to develop reuse and refill infrastructure throughout Miami-Dade County. With 100 participating entities and counting, this initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastics and create a circular economy. Beyond policy advocacy and corporate partnerships, Caiti remains hands-on through community cleanups, mentorship programs, and training students to assist businesses in eliminating plastic waste. She believes in tackling the root causes of plastic pollution, "turning off the tap" rather than just cleaning up the aftermath. Reflecting on her time at Palmer Trinity, Caiti credits the school for fostering an environment where students could explore their passions and lead meaningful change. From her first environmental initiative at PTS to building a globally recognized nonprofit, she continues to embody the Palmer Trinity spirit of leadership and service. Caiti's impact is undeniable, and her journey serves as an inspiration for the next generation of PTS students who wish to make a difference in the world. 71