The Storm King School community recently came together to celebrate two beloved annual traditions—Earth Day and Global Community Day—with a full day of learning, service, and cultural activities. “Environmentalism is personal, and individual, even as it’s global and interconnected. And sometimes, it’s as simple—and as impactful—as being the person who takes the time to pick up other people’s trash.” With these words, Head of School Lisa Shambaugh opened the day’s events—setting the tone for a celebration full of purpose and fun.
The morning began with a lively assembly in the theater, where students and faculty reflected on the legacy of Earth Day and Storm King’s unique role in the environmental movement. Ms. Shambaugh spoke of the Scenic Hudson Decision and the environmental significance of Storm King Mountain, reminding students that individual actions can spark collective change.
Student voices played a central role in the mornings’s program. Luis G. ’26 and Ethan W. ’26 presented an engaging slideshow and video tracing Earth Day’s evolution from 1970 until today. Emma L. ’25 shared the National Honor Society’s charitable efforts for Doctors Without Borders, while the chorus inspired the audience with a heartfelt rendition of “Unwritten.” The Mock Trial Team (Christine S. ’25, Aadya G. ’27, Emily K. ’26, Elspeth D. ’27, and Katie M. ’27) presented environmental law and international activism, and Andrea L. ’25 and Nyla A. ’25 from the Green Team led a presentation on composting and the Clynk recycling system.
Later, students headed outdoors and into the surrounding community to participate in hands-on environmental service projects. From planting trees and seeds to greenhouse cleanup, invasive species removal, and trail maintenance in Black Rock Forest, the spirit of Earth Day came alive through action. While some groups participated in service on campus, others took to local parks to pick up litter and help restore their natural surroundings.
As the morning transitioned into afternoon, Global Community Day began with a vibrant, international lunch prepared by Chef Andy and the dining team. Students enjoyed dishes from Asia, Latin America, and Europe, including Korean beef noodle soup, Indian butter chicken, Brazilian moqueca, and Turkish falafel—ending with delicious treats like brigadeiros and tiramisu.
A special highlight began the day before, when Luis and Ethan announced an important update on their EcoVision project at a special gathering in the Theatre. The launch of the EcoVision app–an innovative carbon footprint-tracking app the duo has championed –was the culmination of their year-long project to promote sustainability within the SKS community. During our Earth Day celebrations, the duo continued to promote EcoVision and their app at one of the stations in the dining hall. Their work demonstrates the importance of student initiatives and tech-driven solutions in helping to mitigate climate challenges.
Global Community celebrations continued with the International Flag Parade, where students proudly carried the flags of their home countries through the theater. Around campus, cultural stations invited students to explore various global traditions: Turkish coffee tastings, Tibetan sand mandalas, cultural dances, face painting, and more. The day wrapped up in a swirl of color and laughter with a joyful Holi festival on Ledoux Terrace.
As the day filled with reflection, service, and fun wound to a close, the strength of the Storm King School community truly came into focus. Students from across the globe, with diverse backgrounds and stories, celebrated together not just as classmates, but as champions of the planet and of our shared humanity. At The Storm King School, Earth Day and Global Community Day are more than events—they are a reminder that when we come together as a community, we grow stronger, greener, and more connected than ever.
