By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
Honoring Earth Day, students across campus found meaningful ways to give back to the environment through recycling, community cleanups, outdoor engagement and everyday sustainable habits that reflect a shared commitment to protecting the planet.
For computer science major Kerri-Ann Marshall, a sophomore, environmental responsibility begins with the choices she makes in her daily routine. Marshall said she focuses on reducing waste by reusing materials and recycling whenever possible.
“I recycle my water and juice containers,” Marshall said. “I reuse my mason jars to store food and drinks.”
Marshall explained that she also makes an effort to reduce her reliance on single-use plastics by choosing reusable alternatives.
“I am conscious about reducing waste by bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and refusing plastic bags for trash cans,” Marshall said.
Marshall said that small steps like these add up over time and help reduce unnecessary waste in the environment.
Beyond her personal habits, Marshall said she also tries to spread awareness about sustainability within her community by encouraging others to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
“I teach my family and friends about recycling and ways to reduce,” Marshall said.
Apart from going green, other students like accounting major Jayden Newell-Kemp, a junior, plan to take advantage of the Earth by stepping outside and reconnecting with nature.
“I’m going to sit outside and really soak it all in,” Newell-Kemp said.
Newell-Kemp said that spending time outdoors is a way to appreciate the environment and reflect on its importance.
He also shared his participation in campus activities that promote environmental awareness.
“I recently attended a Resident Adviser event that allowed us to plant flowers,” Newell-Kemp said.
Not only do activities like these help build a stronger sense of community, but they also allow students to contribute directly to improving their surroundings.
Other students took a more direct approach with their environmental responsibility.
For biotechnology major Ny’ela Porter, a sophomore, Earth Day is centered around action and service.
Porter said she has been actively involved in recycling initiatives and environmental cleanup projects throughout the year, including work focused on restoring damaged ecosystems.
“This year, I’m doing some community service by cleaning up a park,” Porter said.
Porter said that in her Honors 300 Intro to Service class, she has been researching and conducting invasive species removal.
“We’ve been removing knotweed vines, as they are invasive and suffocate the trees,” Porter said.
Through these efforts, Porter and other students reflected on the broader responsibility people have toward the planet.
“We live on this Earth, and we inherited this planet and everything that comes with it,” Marshall said.
Porter also connected her experiences to her coursework, noting that her service has helped her to better understand environmental challenges and the urgency of addressing them.
“This is the only Earth we have, and I feel like we’re already seeing the effect of not taking care of it,” Porter said.
She addressed that protecting the environment requires thinking beyond today’s choices and taking responsibility for the long-term impact.
“Even if we aren’t able to see the effects of it in our lifetime, we need to pave the way for a cleaner Earth for a future generation,” Porter said. “It’s going to be a mess if we continue on the path we’re going by not taking care of the Earth.”
Together, these students demonstrated that Earth Day is not limited to a single celebration, but a reminder of the ongoing responsibility that everyone has.
Through recycling, outdoor appreciation and hands-on environmental service, students show how individual actions can contribute to a more sustainable future.
