Maslow theorized that humans follow a hierarchy of needs. Before we are able to achieve any higher level we need to fulfill our most basic needs.  First we look to meet our physiological needs: food and water. Once these are met we advance to the need for safety.

Maslow described “safety” as familial security, financial stability, but most importantly health.

Health may not be a major concern for the average high school student, until you are put in a situation where you must be concerned about it. A fellow hurricane was recently put in this very situation, and her reaction is the reason we are all reading this today.

Some of you reading may be familiar with junior, Casey DeCaro; however most are likely unaware that we all owe her our lives.

Like the majority of her fellow Hurricanes, DeCaro attends a physical education class every other day in school. Making the best of a bad situation, DeCaro smiles through grueling and seemingly endless laps in the cold weather, all while keeping her grade in the class at an astonishing 90 percent. Being the team player that she is, DeCaro is always happy to participate in gym. All she asks for in return is a safe place to clean up afterwards.

For this particular task, naturally DeCaro looked to the restroom facilities. This however is where she hit a setback, for the bathroom in the girls locker room was missing one essential piece of equipment, the soap.

“Every day after gym class I would use the bathroom. Then I would go to wash my hands, but there was no soap.” After a month, DeCaro decided she would suffer this injustice no more. The need to be sanitary outweighed any anxieties she had about speaking up. “I decided I needed to email Mr. Herr immediately before someone got Ebola.” Principal Herr responded instantly, instructing custodians to stock the restrooms with soap.

“Now every time I go to wash my hands after gym class, there is soap,” DeCaro told reporters. “It’s so nice to know I’ve made a difference. I guess you could say I’ve washed my hands of this problem.”

DeCaro is truly an American hero. Although tales of her injustice fighting ways may not be widespread as of now, those who are aware of her charitable work are describing her as “the Mother Theresa of hand soap.” Senior, Katia Brinsmade voiced, “We all genuinely owe her our lives. It’s people like Casey who give me hope for the future of humanity.”

Brinsmade’s words could not have been more honest or relevant. Cleanliness, amongst other factors, is what separates us from our less civilized ancestors. Without soap, we are truly no better then nomadic savages of the Neolithic Era. Next time you see Casey DeCaro in the hallway, don’t be afraid to give her a high-five and thank her for allowing all of us to take part in this new renaissance of hygiene.