Students gather for a celebration of Earth Day at the Meramec Library Quad
By: SHAY FREDRICKSON
Staff
On April 22, several school clubs and students gathered at the Meramec Library Quad for an annual celebration of Earth Day. Students had the choice of participating in many hands-on activities, including tricycle racing, paper crafts, making their own bird feeders and many more.
The Engineering Club was among those to be a part of the event, and their display featured a mini greenhouse that aimed to inform students about the benefits that come with greenhouses. Engineering Club member Lily Laudel emphasized that, because the names are similar, the harmful effects of greenhouse gases are sometimes associated with greenhouses, but they are not related.
A plant used for the greenhouse came from Clay Club’s booth. The Earth Day event was the first ever on-campus event for the club, and the members hand-made clay pots specifically for Earth Day.
Two other clubs, set up right next to each other, shared an activity. Music Club and Pride Club set up racks of clothing for students to go thrifting, an increasingly popular hobby among young people that has been celebrated for its ability to save clothes from being sent to landfills.
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Meramec Campus Life, responsible for organizing the event, also had their own booths at the event. According to CAB President Jessica Wynn, CAB was responsible for the posters, the conception of the idea and helping make it come to life. Her group’s booth featured a make-your-own-bird-feeder activity using pinecones, string and peanut butter.
“[Students] know they’re making something they can take home and help birds in their community,” Wynn said.
Not only groups from Meramec had booths, though. A visitor from outside the Meramec community came to participate in Earth Day: The Missouri Department of Conservation. Matthew Cavanaugh was there to educate students on Missouri’s wildlife.
“Missouri is one of the most diverse states in terms of biodiversity,” Cavanaugh said. “The more you learn, the more you’ll want to protect [the wildlife].”
The booth included fun facts about Missouri’s native wildlife and pamphlets with information on community events that the organization hosts.
Although it only lasted a few hours, the annual event was focused on building a community for students and allowed the clubs to showcase their identities while also celebrating. Many clubs were recruiting for next year and said they planned to participate in future campus events. The event helped educate students and encouraged them not only to connect with their community, but to help their local ecosystems thrive.
