Before Gabby Muller Melo could walk, she was surrounded by fair trade through her aunt’s store in downtown Lititz, Bunyaad Marketplace. Fair trade is a global movement that aims to make trade more equitable for farmers, producers and workers in developing countries. It promotes decent working conditions, sustainability, fair prices, community development and many more values. Ever since she was a toddler crawling on the rugs her aunt sold, Melo has grown up learning about the importance of fair trade and the multitude of products it encompasses, from produce to handmade cards.

“I’ve grown up around fair trade my whole life with both my parents being in that business. It’s played a big role in my life and my values,” she said.

Her knowledge and understanding of the importance of fair trade and the morals it promotes led her to becoming the central founding member of Toucan You-Can, a team composed of seven seniors who are currently working toward certifying Manheim Township High School as a fair trade school.

While she was already working toward creating a club to accomplish this task in her late sophomore and early junior year, the IB service trip in February of 2025 to Ecuador acted as a catalyst for her to finally take the leap.

“When I got to my freshman year of high school I had the chance to travel to LA California for the Fair Trade Federation Conference where I got to meet a bunch of interesting people and was really inspired and knew that I wanted to do something like that in my community,” Melo said. “I had meetings with administrators and the principal trying to make this happen, but Ecuador gave me a more direct path, so I pitched it as my CAS project and it became a reality.”

Students who went on the trip were all urged to join the 2026 CAS Project Challenge, in which a team of seven individuals would develop and implement a project in order to make a positive impact in their community. In December, teams submit a short video explaining their campaign and its impact for a chance to win a scholarship and present their project at the CAS Global Student Exchange.

Throughout the past year, Melo and Team Toucan You-Can have been working in collaboration with the school district and faculty to be able to complete the requirements to certify the school before December.

Mr. Rutledge, whom the team works closely with, emphasized Melo’s strong work ethic and outstanding leadership skills.

“She is a change agent who refuses to accept the status quo and is laser-focused on making our world a better and more sustainable place while having fun and inspiring others,” he said.

Team Toucan You-Can is now working toward implementing and teaching a quick lesson in freshmen AP Geography classes about the importance of fair trade and creating their video for the CAS Challenge. To go support the team, check out their Instagram @teamtoucanyoucan and stay on the lookout for handmade fair trade bracelets from Ecuador that will soon be sold in the high school.