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Miami Palmetto High School senior Emily Olster uses her artistic talents to make beaded jewelry that she sells on Instagram. Half the proceeds from the sale of the
jewelry are donated to One Mind, a leading brain research non-profit organization.
“My grandma has dementia, so I wanted to be more involved in brain research,” she says.
Olster makes necklaces, bracelets and phone charms using seed beads and pearls.
“I’ve been making jewelry for a few years, but I just recently started using Instagram to sell them,” she says. “I just tried it one day and I really liked it.”
Her work is so good that her friends commission her to create specific pieces. Olster
says sales are good.
Making jewelry not only raised money for brain research, it’s also a terrific stress buster
for her.
Olster’s commitment to community service includes her involvement with the Pinecrest
Youth Advisory Council. She’s been on the council since ninth grade.
“We go to meetings with the vice mayor once a month,” she says. “We’re part of the
council meetings. We usually speak at them once or twice throughout the year to
discuss action we want to see happen.”
She says the members reflect on what the village council members say in the meetings, and are able to voice their opinions and concerns.
“It’s giving a voice to the younger generation,” she says.
The youth advisory council takes on a number of environmental projects.
“A lot of things center around Pinecrest Garden and protecting it,” she says.
The youth advisory council also volunteers at local events like “Track or Treat,” a marathon where members dress like zombies, spook the runners, and hand out water bottles to them. They also help with setting up events like Pinecrest’s annual “Fitcrest 5K” and even Goat Yoga at Evelyn Greer Park.
At Palmetto, Olster is president of the service club, Interact.
“Every year we do a talent show,” she says. “We haven’t been able to do it the last few
years because the auditorium was under construction.”
The plans called for Panthers Got Talent to be back on stage this school year. Another
goal is to build up Interact’s membership, which suffered because of COVID. The club is
currently gathering items for a clothing drive and will soon be collecting food for a
Thanksgiving drive.
Olster is also on the Student Council Cabinet for the Class of 2023 to help with planning the
prom and other senior events.
Last year, Olster played on the Palmetto Varsity Bowling team with her best friend for
fun. The team did well last year, with some members qualifying for states.
Outside of school, Olster is a part of BBYO, which meets at the Dave and Mary Alper
Jewish Community Center. Members attend conventions and work on learning more about Judaism and leadership events.
For college, Olster is applying to Tulane University, the University of Florida, the University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is considering a Psychology or Communications major.
“I’ve always liked writing,” she says. ‘I think I could find something around that that I would be interested in.”
For fun she plays tennis and takes lessons.
“It’s a good form of exercise,” she says. “It’s the only sport I’ve been interested in. It’s
good for after school to get some energy out and be outside.”
Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld
To see more #Miaminews from #Aventura to #Coralgables to #SouthMiami, #Pinecrest, #Palmetto Bay and #Cutler Bay and all throughout #Miamidadecounty go to:
www.communitynewspapers.com
