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Ramblers Honor Earth Day in Creative Ways
Budding from an environmental movement that began in 1970, Earth Day celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 22, 2020. And while the occasion usually marks the arrival of spring and brings with it Loyola’s annual Earth Day Fair, this year Ramblers adapted to mark the occasion in a different way.
“Students were disappointed that the timing of the shelter-in-place order encompassed the Earth Day Fair, but they quickly sought new ways to engage the community,” says S.A.V.E. Club Moderator Shelby Walchuk ’05, who describes Loyola’s annual Earth Day Fair as a fun student-led celebration that takes place outside on the Quad. Food, games, music and opportunities to learn more about the environmental and sustainability measures are hallmarks of the event.
S.A.V.E. Club met via Zoom in early April to discuss its options and then worked with the Student Activities Office to encourage fellow students to participate in Earth Day virtually. Students had the option to create art - a song, a dance, a painting, a sketch - that represents their love and appreciation for nature, to submit a photo of themselves enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors, or to wear something on Earth Day that expresses their support of the environmental movement - a green shirt, an earth pin, etc.
"It was so important to maintain our celebration of Earth Day in some way, even while we are isolated from each other," explains Kayla Fowler '21, S.A.V.E. Club's incoming president. "Now more than ever, the world needs our protection, and Earth Day is a great way to spread awareness about how we can help. My hope is that next year we are able to gather again for Earth Day and celebrate as a community— the Earth Day Fair is a really fun event! I missed getting to be a part of that this year."
"It was so important to maintain our celebration of Earth Day in some way, even while we are isolated from each other," explains Kayla Fowler '21, S.A.V.E. Club's incoming president. "Now more than ever, the world needs our protection, and Earth Day is a great way to spread awareness about how we can help. My hope is that next year we are able to gather again for Earth Day and celebrate as a community— the Earth Day Fair is a really fun event! I missed getting to be a part of that this year."
In the classroom, Computer Science Teacher Mrs. Anita F. Debarlaben designed a competition for her honors computer science principles students that challenged them to create an Earth Day app to both entertain and educate. Students were asked to submit written responses, a project-planning guide, and drawings of the first screen of their app.
“The project enabled students to use their creativity and really become an LA think tank,” says Debarlaben. “The best part is that it demonstrates what skills and knowledge students are receiving from their Computer Science class. Being able to design is one of the most important skills students can take away from any programming class.”
Congratulations to the winners of the Earth Day app design competition, Brooke Avedisian ’20 (period 2) and Lauren Hering ’20 (period 5).
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