Simona's Amazing Earth-Changing Lemonade

“I can’t. I just can’t.”

On the last day of school, after lunch, Simona looked into the class garbage can. “It’s full of plastic spoons, forks, bottles, and trays. There is so much plastic in that garbage can,” she said just loudly enough for some of her friends to hear.

Her face scrunched up as her lips tightened. “I just have to find a way for us to use less plastic, especially single-use plastic. But how?”

Mrs. Sophie called Simona to her desk. “I heard what you said, Simona, and you are right about using less plastic. I will be teaching your class again next year. Do you think you could work on a plan for our class to begin to reduce our use of plastic in September?”

Simona timidly replied, “Yes, I think I can.”

“Great,” said Mrs. Sophie. “You will have the whole summer to work on the plan, and I will make time on the first day back for you to present to the class. If you need my help, come in on the last day of the holidays; I will be here.”

Before Simona reached her chair, she said to herself, “I can’t—I just can’t present to the whole class. Why me?”