When Gaby Morales learned that Miami-Dade County’s landfills are approaching capacity, she saw more than an environmental challenge. She saw an opportunity to make a difference.
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A student at Gulliver Preparatory School, Gaby turned her concern about textile waste into meaningful action through her participation in the Rustic Pathways Climate Leader Fellowship program. After researching the growing impact of discarded clothing and textiles on local landfills, she developed a plan to encourage reuse and sustainability within her school community.
Working closely with Goodwill South Florida, Gaby helped bring textile and clothing donation bins to both Gulliver’s Marian C. Krutulis PK-8 Campus and Upper School Campus. The initiative provides students, faculty, and families with a convenient way to donate unwanted clothing and household textiles, keeping usable items out of landfills while supporting Goodwill’s mission of transforming lives through education, training, and employment opportunities.
“I think it’s really important for Gulliver students to understand the importance of utilizing these Goodwill bins in order to establish sustainable habits on our campuses,” Gaby said. “I hope this project reminds students that their voices are significant and that meaningful change can happen when you combine research with passion.”
The project not only addresses an environmental concern but also demonstrates how young people can create tangible solutions within their communities. Through months of planning, outreach, and collaboration, Gaby strengthened her leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while bringing a lasting sustainability resource to her school.
“Gaby represents a generation of students who understand that real leadership is about service, action, and responsibility to the world around them,” said Gulliver President Simon Hess. “Her work on our campuses and in the South Florida community exemplifies the kind of purpose-driven impact we hope every Gulliver student carries into the future.”
Goodwill South Florida President and CEO David Landsberg praised Gaby’s initiative and commitment to environmental stewardship.
“At Goodwill South Florida, we see every donation as an opportunity to create positive change,” Landsberg said. “Gaby’s leadership demonstrates how one student’s vision can benefit both the environment and the community. By encouraging textile reuse, she is helping reduce waste while supporting programs that empower people to achieve greater independence through education and employment.”
Beyond her sustainability efforts, Gaby serves as president of the Female Society of Women in Engineering and participates on her school’s robotics mechanical subteam. She hopes her experience encourages other students to pursue issues they care about and take action.
When asked what advice she would offer others looking to make a difference, Gaby’s answer was simple: “Research a passion that interests you. Find specific ways that issue shows up in your community and start reaching out to specialists in the field.”
Through her initiative, Gaby Morales has shown that meaningful change often begins with a single question, a willingness to learn, and the determination to act.
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