Several high schoolers partnered up with Seaside Sustainability to promote community awareness regarding single-use plastic bags and plastic straws.   These high schoolers–Nathaniel Kirby, Cat Rania, Amanda Verga, and Jillian Tierney–started by working on a motion during the summer which was submitted and approved to the town at the September town meeting. The motion banned shops and restaurants in Rockport from putting their merchandise in single-use plastic bags or from giving out plastic straws with beverages. In October, Nathaniel Kirby and Cat Rania applied for a grant from the Awesome Rockport Foundation.  The funding was to aid Rockport in its transition from single-use plastic bags to more environmentally friendly alternatives by helping to supply reusable bags for local citizens and businesses, with the help of selectwoman Denise Donnelly. The pair were awarded the funding by Awesome Rockport on Wednesday night, October 17th!