![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![The girls varsity soccer team walk back to their bench during halftime April 1. The Jags played against the Castle View Sabercats at the Douglas County Stadium and scored 3-0 W. “It felt really good [to beat Castle View]. I feel like that was a big win for us because knowing that we came together to beat a pretty good team has definitely given us some leverage for this season,” attacking midfielder Grace Rossner ‘24 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_4906-1-1200x1057.jpg)
![English teacher Colleen Lamb grades College Prep English assignments during period two Nov. 10. Lamb, who has been teaching for 27 years, decorates her classroom with posters and handmade college flags from her senior students. Everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom, Lamb said. So, thankfully, the college [I worked at] had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1158-1200x900.jpeg)
![At Prairie View High School, the winterguard team poses with their plaque after winning first place at their competition Feb. 24. This was the second time they won first place this year, this time with a score of 74.190 points. “I [love being] a witch, but my favorite [part of the show] is the trios, it’s so cool,” Heather Strickland ‘27 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PRARIE-VIEW-BY-MARGO-SANFORD-e1709531739910-1200x910.jpg)
How to Celebrate Earth Day
50 years after its creation, Earth Day signifies a worldwide challenge to combat the deterioration of the planet. Students use their platforms to appreciate the world around them.
media by Amanda Brauchler
A panorama of the view at Daniel’s Park in Castle Pines, CO.
April 22, 2020
April 22, 1970 was the first Earth Day. 20 million Americans demonstrated earth sustainability in coast-to-coast rallies fighting against oil spills, factory and power plants pollution, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways disrupting habitats, the loss of the wilderness and extinction of wildlife. These protests in 1970 resulted in the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air Act. Two years later, the Clean Water Act passed. A year after that, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act.
Students took to Instagram to post their favorite photos of the Earth, in honor of Earth Day today. While most posts don’t call for activism, they promote preserving the beauty of nature. “I wanted to post because I feel like we need to raise awareness for our planet and it was a way for me to look at the beautiful places I’ve been,” Megan Tuin ’21, who posted in honor of Earth Day, said. “It’s important that we celebrate the planet and cherish all of its beauty.”How the Internet Changed the Environmental Movement
By 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries fought environmental issues. Earth Day 1990 focused on bolstering recycling programs. America’s Earth Day efforts were recognized at the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit, when the founder of Earth day, Senator Gaylord Nelson, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Moving into the 2000s, there were at least 5,000 environmental groups in 184 countries. Earth Day 2000 inspired global and local conversations about using the power of the internet to organize events around the world. Read more about the history of Earth Day here.
The global movement of fifty years continues to inspire generations today.
“With anything, one action can lead to monumental things and that’s exactly the case with the protests. A simple protest was able to bring so much awareness and passion to the hearts of people that continues to live on and manifests itself into one day every year,” Eco Club member, Leanna Navo ’22 said.
Helping boost environmental activism, Eco Club works to promote sustainability within the school and community through collecting recycling, projects and activities.
“As a community, we can continue to do the little things to celebrate our earth from home. It’s as simple as going on a walk or a bike ride to appreciate what we have around us, or taking the steps to avoid turning lights on or taking long showers for a day. Since pollution is already much lower due to quarantine, these small steps can allow us to celebrate something beautiful during this time of stress,” Eco Club Vice President, Anna Bajszar ’20 said.
