by The image of rubbish thrown close to a Colleyville waterway has stuck in Daniel Thomas’ mind.
As part of a service project with the Boys Scouts, he was cleaning up the area. He returned home and did some research.
and dedicated himself to enhancing his neighborhood.
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52 Community Facesis a weekly series on local unsung heroes from Fort Worth Report. Central Market, H-E-B, and JPS Health Network are its sponsors.
These underappreciated heroes will come together for a luncheon at the conclusion of the year, where the Report will select one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.
Six years later, Daniel has developed a website that assists individuals in planning litter cleanups, preventing almost 45,000 pounds of rubbish from entering waterways. The 17-year-old’s actions earned him a nomination for 52 Faces of Community, a weekly series by the Fort Worth Report that highlights Tarrant County’s unsung heroes.
Daniel, a senior at Colleyville Heritage High School, stated, “It’s not just me.” I want to generate a chain reaction where people not only undertake cleanups but also encourage others to start their own cleanups and carry on the tradition.
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Daniel wanted litter collection to be as simple as possible. But it’s not as simple as stepping outside and picking up trash to get started.
Buckets, grabbers, safety equipment, and trash bags, of course, cost him $200. When he planned pickups, he used equipment. He eventually began lending out the cutlery.
Tegan Brennan, Daniel’s scoutmaster, assisted him in creating his ideas. In order to have more equipment available for loan, Brennan advised him to look for donations.
Brennan remarked, “I was just impressed that he was talking to adults like one.” He was simply exceptional at getting things done and inspiring others to do them.
According to Brennan, Daniel is incredibly passionate about enhancing his hometown and the environment.
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Brennan remembered the first time he witnessed the pupil prioritizing others before Daniel began picking up rubbish. For the benefit of the Colleyville Police and Fire Departments, Daniel planned a pie drive.
The whole thing was put up by him. He created posters. Every phone call was made by him. After gathering the funds, he proceeded to Costco and purchased the pies. Brennan stated that he was eleven. I thought his beginning was simply incredible, and then he immediately immersed himself in the surroundings.
According to Daniel, the environment is not isolated. For example, plastic trash can have an impact on wildlife, water quality, and the food that people eat.
“One way to see an almost immediate impact is to pick up litter,” he said.
People have taken note of Daniel’s work. Among his many honors is the State Board of Education’s designation of him as a Student Hero.
For Daniel, however, it all boils down to leaving his town in a better and cleaner state.
He prioritizes the opinions of others over his own. I can’t wait to find out what he does next.
For the past six years, I have been doing this. In addition to being remarkable, he continued, “I find it really shocking.” Even I find it hard to comprehend that I have accomplished all of this.
But Brennan recognized right away that Daniel would do great things after witnessing him plan a pie drive.
Brennan stated that he prioritizes everyone else before himself. I can’t wait to find out what he does next.
Daniel has yet to decide where he will attend college. He is considering UT-Dallas or the University of Texas at Austin. However, he is certain that he will pursue a degree in biology or environmental science.
He is considering his legacy while he organizes his plans for the future.
According to him, the next step will likely be to try to transfer all of my cleanups to the younger generation so they may begin their own. In this manner, it continues as enduring cascades of occurrences.
And he’s thinking beyond Colleyville and himself.
According to Daniel, this younger generation will eventually take over, so they must learn how to responsibly care for the environment.
The Fort Worth Report’s education editor is Jacob Sanchez. You can reach him at @_jacob_sanchez or at [email protected].
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