The green side of SIFE

Lately, there has been a lot of news talk around the world. From the devastating earthquake in Haiti, to the scandalous love affair of John Edwards, there have been a lot of events that may take away our attention from big initiatives that we should pay attention to. Take the world famous "Green project" for example, it is as big as the earth but it hasn't gotten much media attention lately. It had its fifteen minutes of fame, and then it became nonexistent. TAMIU's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) were able to bring us back and focus on this amazing project a little more.

On Thursday, February 25, 2010, SIFE unveiled one of their many projects that aid the movement towards a greener earth. Outside the busy halls of TAMIU, there was a large sculpture of an hour glass in display. The unique feature of this sculpture was that it was completely made up of aluminum cans. With posters of recycling facts surrounding the sculpture, it definitely attracted students towards the green movement.

SIFE President and TAMIU senior, Kesia Rogriguez explained why it was so important that TAMIU students witness this event. "TAMIU forms a major part of the Laredo community, and to a certain extent, it houses the future of Laredo," explains Rodriguez.

The sculpture was the consequence of a major "Green Competition" that took place between different TAMIU offices. The "Can Draft," as the project is named, required the SIFE organization to challenge different TAMIU offices and departments to engage in a recycling match. The completion began in late October and ended in December. The winner of this competition was the office who recycled the most cans by the due date. The champion was then awarded a "TAMIU Green Office" plaque. The aluminum cans collected were the same used to form the unique hour glass.

The team leader for this project, Linda Mercado, explains that the hour glass indicates, "that time is winding down and it is crucial that we begin to join together and help before time runs out."

Many were able to learn a little bit more through the "Can Draft." TAMIU students got a small reminder to conserve our earth and to do it quickly. As responsible citizens, everyone should be aware of this initiative and move towards a greener earth.

With the "Can Draft," the TAMIU community also had the opportunity to preview one of the many projects that SIFE is conducting. This, along many of their other initiatives, will be presented at their annual competition. The Bridge sends a major good luck to this organization, and hopes that they bring back a trophy for TAMIU.