Willow Parker will be a sophomore at CHRHS this year.  We sat down to talk about her

many interests, her excitement for school this year, and her passion for the opportunities

that The Rig offers midcoast teens.

Willow, you recently hosted a Vegan potluck at The Rig.  Tell us more about what

Veganism is about and why you are interested in it.

“I’m interested in being a vegan because I believe that it is the purest way to be.

I’ve heard a lot of people say that being a Vegan would be so hard, but I don’t see it that

way. It’s mostly just a matter of education and reaching for the veggies at the grocery

store instead of meat or animal products. I also feel that people need to be educated about

food, and know that we vegans don’t just eat salad and bland, boring food––So I started a

group called “The Vegan/Vegetarian FAQ & Support Group” to answer any questions

people have, and to post recipes for anyone to try. ‘Where do you get your protein?’ is

probably to most popular question, which I answered in depth.

“At a member’s suggestion, I decided to have a Vegan potluck at The Rig to show

how amazing and gratifying Vegan food can be.”

You also have recently gotten involved as a Rig-Rep with an organization called

“Green Sneakers”.  Tell us more about that.

“We only have one earth and we need to protect it.  I really enjoy getting involved

and it’s important to me to put my voice out there.  It’s a good way [as a Rig-Rep] to get

involved with the community and from there I can grow to get involved at the statewide

and global level.

“Green Sneakers’ main focus is going into homes to do energy audits, where we

instruct on how to get ineffeciencies fixed. We also do awareness campaigns and

fundraisers, including a 5k Run/Walk on August 18th.”

Tell us about your interest and involvement with Rock Coast Rollers!

“I’m planning on going to do timing and ‘jeerleading’ at their upcoming bouts. My

Freshman English teacher, Mrs. Baz and my friend Emma Theobalds are on the team, and

there is also a vegan Derby Girl, whom I would really like to meet.  Plus, Derby just

seems fun.  I’m small enough to be the jammer, although I might just get taken out!  The

Jammer is the one who scores the points. Everyone skates around the rink and blockers

try to stop the opposing jammer going through while helping their own teammate. The

Jammer earns points by getting past the blockers as many times as she can.

How would you like to be involved with The Rig this year?

“I’d like to do more public events and get more involved with the Rig community. It’s

very inviting and accepting. I feel that it’s important to have a positive place for teens

right in town, where they can go to hang out and feel safe. It really helps everyone in the

community to feel welcome, and it provides the opportunity to come somewhere where

one feels supported and is able to talk about anything that’s going on, good or bad, and

get support, and also have the opportunity to give support wherever it is needed.

You’re going to be a Sophomore this year.  How do you feel about that?

“I’m actually incredibly excited for school this year. I’ve seen my schedule and it’s really

great.  I’m in Tech Theatre A fourth period during first semester, and will be able to work

on the sets for ‘West Side Story’.”

Willow, thanks for talking with us!  Is there anything you’d like to add?

“Yes.  I also volunteer at PAWS [Pets Are Worth Saving] Animal Adoption center.

The volunteers have a host of different job opportunities, and it is much more organized

than before. Some of the jobs: Clerical (answering calls), Cat Socialization, Dog

Walking, Laundry (good practice for college!), Bed Washing, and even taking some of

the cats to visit Quarry Hill.

“Other organizations that I volunteer with are Equality Maine and Mainers United

for Marriage, both of whom work to ensure the equality of LGBT* citizens and their

ability to marry.”

Thanks, Willow!  It’s great to have you represent The Rig at Green Sneakers and

The Rock Coast Roller bouts.  Thanks, too, for offering to host more pot lucks and

other events at The Rig this year!

FMI about Green Sneakers: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Sneakers-Project/243236662363460?sk=info

FMI: about Rock Coast Rollers: http://rockcoastrollers.weebly.com/index...

FMI: The Rig, email therigcamden@gmail.com and/or find us on Facebook!