The Storm King School community recently came together for Global Community & Earth Day (GCED), an annual tradition that celebrates both the school’s cultural diversity and its commitment to environmental stewardship. Combining community service, sustainability initiatives, and cultural exchange into one unified campus experience, the day reflected care for the planet alongside pride in the school’s international community.
The day began with an All School Meeting, where students and faculty gathered to launch the celebration together. GCED T-shirts were distributed, and Head of School Lisa Shambaugh offered welcoming remarks that set an enthusiastic tone for the day, encouraging students to fully engage in both service and cultural exchange.
The morning took students both on and off campus for nature-focused service activities. Off campus, groups contributed to invasive species removal at the Hudson Highlands Nature Center and participated in a clean-up at Donahue Park in Cornwall-on-Hudson. On campus, students took part in pollinator garden work, greenhouse cleanup, mending, tie-dye, card making, and campus-wide recycling efforts. The day also featured a spirited volleyball tournament, while outdoor grass volleyball added to the relaxed and energetic atmosphere across campus.
A highlight of the day was the international lunch, which showcased cuisines from across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Hispanic world. Students and faculty enjoyed a wide variety of dishes, including sushi, dumplings, butter chicken, bánh mì, street tacos, bratwurst, empanadas, and Brazilian moqueca, reflecting the cultural richness of the school community.
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 global traditions through Turkish coffee, salsa dancing, origami, mandala art paired with Indian snacks, and Korean and Japanese cultural experiences. Additional activities such as henna, face painting, board games, and a tea ceremony created spaces for informal and meaningful cultural exchange throughout the afternoon.
Students also engaged with EcoVision, an app focused on sustainability, alongside a map-signing activity highlighting the global reach of the Storm King community. The final activity was a vibrant burst of color and energy with a joyful Holi celebration on the Gazebo lawn.
As the day of learning, service, and celebration came to a close, the strength of the Storm King School community was clearly on display. Through shared experiences, hands-on service, and cultural exchange, Global Community & Earth Day reinforced the values of community, responsibility, and connection that are central to life at Storm King.
