On March 29, freshman Rylee Bush finalized all collections for a Rachel’s Closet drive. 

Bush wanted to help others and assure Rachel’s Closet is a positive place for teens to visit and get things they need.

“I decided to use my title as Beauty, Brains and Heart Ambassador to reach out to more people that are unaware of situations teens today face, so I shared and reached out to people within the community to collect contemporary and trendy clothes, shoes and personal hygiene products,” Bush said. 

According to Bush, community service has helped with this drive from having experience since she was five. BBH is a group that promotes pageantry with a purpose and encouraging community service hours through volunteerism. 

”Last year, my mom and I were talking about different clubs at the junior high, and I stumbled across Friends of Rachel,” Bush said. “I thought that I could help in some way. When I walked in and saw what was waiting for me, I knew immediately it needed some updating, so I talked to my mom and she talked to teachers. We started the drive for clothes last year at the junior high. Rachel’s story was so motivating, so I wanted to be involved. This year, I did it for the high school because I wanted to try to have a better one and since the junior high one needed a little upgrade, I figured so did the high school. So there I went with another drive sharing it more than ever. I got so much more stuff this year and was very happy with my outcome.”

Bush plans to continue drives for the school. 

“With the new space underway, I hope to expand my drives and collections. Each time, I am hoping for it to be bigger and better,” Bush said. “I want Rachel’s Closter to be a positive, uplifting experience for students.” 

BBH [Beauty, Brains, and Heart] director Jackie Russo has been helping Bush along the way. 

“I helped Rylee by designing a flyer for her,” Russo said. “The flyer had information about Rachel’s Closet, what it was about, etc. and asked for anyone that wanted to donate any gently used clothes who they could contact to get their donations picked up.” 

According to Russo, Bush completed the drive on her own. 

“This was all Rylee ‘s decision to do a drive for Rachel’s Closet on her own,” Russo said. “I am her director through her Miss Beauty, Brains and Heart Ambassador title and she volunteers throughout the community to receive service hours. Rylee is an amazing young lady and a great titleholder for BBH.” 

High school librarian Tanya Lucas also took part in the drive. 

“Rylee was organizing a clothing drive as part of her Genius Hour project,” Lucas said. “I helped her determine what items the closet needed the most. Rylee really did all of the work herself. She collected items, washed all clothing donations and organized a drop-off time at the high school.  Her donation of clothing, shoes, coats, lotions, personal hygiene products and jewelry will really help us stock the closet next year.”