Some graduation gowns are going back to school.
Quaker Valley High School graduates have the opportunity to donate their graduation gowns for use by underclassmen who will be following in their footsteps across the stage. The idea to have the gowns worn again by grads came from incoming senior Kate Steinfurth.
She created the Green Graduation Initiative, a project to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award as part of Girl Scout Troop 52674. The project aligns with the criteria for the Gold Award — Girl Scouts are supposed to choose an issue that they feel passionate about and devise a sustainable solution.
Steinfurth contacted the high school’s administration about wanting to organize the collection of graduation gowns.
The venture is twofold.
“This project helps to both reduce waste and help those in need,” said Steinfurth, 17, of Edgeworth, who will graduate in 2027.
The idea came to her while thinking about fast fashion, where apparel is made and often worn a few times, then viewed as throw-away items, quickly being tossed into landfills.
Steinfurth decided to do something proactive.
Once graduation is over and pictures are taken, often gowns are put away, never to be used again or thrown into the garbage, Steinfurth said.
According to Earth911, the largest recycling database in the nation, more than 5 million such gowns end up as plastic or semi-plastic waste in landfills every year.
During the initiative’s first year in 2024, Steinfurth said she collected 30 gowns. Last year, she collected 45. She held a collection at this year’s graduation on June 1. One of those graduates, Kendra Hines, said donating graduation gowns is a good idea because it helps those in need and also promotes environmental sustainability.
“I chose to donate my gown because I knew I wouldn’t really ever use it again and I knew someone needed it,” Hines said.
Those in need of extra financial assistance are prioritized in the redistribution process of the gowns, Steinfurth said. Everything is confidential. Gowns come in varying sizes based on height and are matched to the height of the student.
Some students also donated their caps and stoles. Previously donated gowns were worn at this year’s graduation.
Seniors could donate right after graduation, or if they want to take the gowns home for more photos, they can donate a few days or weeks later by dropping them off at the high school. Each gown is inspected for any stains or tears.
“This project is a way to expand my interest in the environment and recycling to a bigger audience, such as in the school and throughout the community,” Steinfurth said.
She created a handbook about the project to be given to the high school’s student council to help continue the project once she graduates.
Steinfurth plans to submit the completed project, which requires a minimum of 80 hours, this month. She has also reached out to neighboring schools to see if they would want to do something similar.
“Earning a Gold Award is important to me because the whole environmental issue is truly important to me,” Steinfurth said. “I can do things to reduce environmental waste within my own home. We compost and we recycle. But being able to expand it to a greater audience is a super special opportunity, which I am excited about.”
The average cost of a high school cap and gown is $25-$50, according to gradshop.com.
“When you’re a senior, you have so many expenses,” Steinfurth said. “Sometimes it is hard for people to ask for help, so this helps financially and environmentally.”
Steinfurth has been a Girl Scout since 2015. She’s earned Silver and Bronze Awards and many other badges through various activities and community involvement. In addition to her commitment to the Girl Scouts, Steinfurth also earned an Eagle Scout Award through Scouting America after she completed a project of renovating a courtyard at Masonic Village at Sewickley in 2023.
She was inspired by her older brother, Ryan, 19, who also created a hiking trail at Masonic Village in 2021 for his Eagle Scout Award.
Steinfurth, who is focused on becoming a physical therapist, did job shadowing for physical therapy at Masonic Village. She has a six-week internship this summer at the UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center inside the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Pittsburgh’s South Side and the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
“The residents at Masonic Village are super nice,” said Steinfurth, who wanted to do the project at Masonic Village because it is a special place to her.
She was told there was a courtyard that needed some tending to — she planted flowers and trees.
The Gold Award and Eagle Scout Award are the most prestigious achievements in each group.
These awards are about continuing to gain life experiences, Steinfurth said.
“You can put an idea down on paper and say you are going to do something, but you have to actually put in the time and do it,” she said. “Just the other weekend, my friend and I went into the city and we made these little bags with some snacks and other items and we gave them to homeless people. We also wrote faith-related messages because doing things for others is part of the Girl Scout vision. “
Each Girl Scout works with a mentor on the Gold Award project.
Steinfurth said none of this would have been possible without her Girl Scout mentor Vickie Kennedy and fellow scouts, as well as the support of friends and her parents, Sharon and Adam Steinfurth and her brother.
Mom Sharon Steinfurth said Kate inspires her every day.
“She is always positive, encouraging, driven and looking to make the world a better place,” her mom said. “Working towards getting her Gold Award and creating a sustainable program at the school is just one of many ways in which she lives these values. The way Kate sets goals and works hard to achieve them will help her in all aspects of her life. Whether it’s personal or professional, you can count on her to follow through and give it her best. That kind of attitude makes her someone you just want to be around.”
Gown donations will continue to be accepted in the Quaker Valley High School lobby during the summer hours of 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.