Earth Day, observed annually worldwide, is a time to reflect on our planet and take action to protect it. At Waring School, we observed Earth Day 2025 with a series of student-planned and led events and activities designed to raise awareness and promote sustainability within our community.
Waring’s celebration of Earth Day took place on Friday, April 25th, featuring a full day of events, hands-on activities, and speakers who discussed topics such as beekeeping and underwater photography. Students and faculty took part in activities like cyanotype printing, street clean-up, seed-bomb planting, garden clean-up, bird house building and political action letter writing on climate change. Former Waring students also visited campus via video conference to discuss their continued work on sustaining Earth’s resources and understanding the climate crisis within their chosen careers and areas of continued education.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the unique and inspirational ways Waring celebrated Earth Day 2025.
Earth Day Speakers
Beekeeping with Stéphanie
Waring’s Earth Day celebration began in the All School Meeting (ASM) room, where students introduced one of their own, Stéphanie Williams, Art Teacher and Sustainability Elective Leader.
Stéphanie is not just a talented artist and teacher, but also has a passion for apiculture, also known as beekeeping. She shared images from her years of beekeeping on campus grounds and discussed articles such as the recent New York Times piece on “Disappearing Honeybees Due to Climate Change.” Through sharing her experiences and knowledge on beekeeping, students and other faculty members learned the process of collecting honey, as well as the critical importance of saving the declining honeybee population. This included planting a wide assortment of flowers that bloom at different times of the year and avoiding the use of chemicals and insecticides in their gardens.
Underwater Photography with Andrew Martinez
It was a real treat to welcome Andrew Martinez to campus and hear about his over 50 years of capturing images of underwater marine life in the North Atlantic. His photos were vivid, beautiful and helped the Waring audience understand the delicate balance of aquatic life. He discussed the recent Boston Globe article about Coral Bleaching and how it is our responsibility to protect the creatures beneath the surface, as we are all a part of the circle of life.
To view many of his pictures as well as read his works found in nature books and field guides, please visit his site.
Panel Discussion with Former Waring Students
Waring Alumni Ilaria Bardini and Michael Ballin joined current Waring students via video chat to discuss their education and career journeys related to understanding climate change.
Ilaria is a graduate of the University of Maine and is currently working on her master’s in marine biology. She is presently studying ridges in the ocean off the coast of Washington State. More specifically, she is examining the impact of global warming on hydrothermal vents and microplastics found in the sea.
Michael attended Colby College with a degree in Environmental Science. He is the co-founder of Blueprint Surf Company, a start-up that prints 3D interiors of surfboards using recycled plastics. He and fellow Waring alumnus Luke Diehl started this company with the goal of helping the environment. Michael discussed how the traditional core of a surfboard is made of petroleum-based foam while their 3D printed core is made from recycled plastics, which is better for the environment and an excellent material for surfing. The two Waring alumni are currently growing their business with clients in Maine and along the New England coast.
Earth Day Activities
Across campus, Waring students and leaders of the Sustainability Elective got hands-on experience taking action for the Earth. From getting their hands dirty in the garden and planting beds throughout campus to learning and practicing art based in nature, Waring students enjoyed a full day of activities.
Gardening & Planting
Building on what they learned during the Beekeeping Presentation with Stéphanie, groups of Waring students raked, weeded, and turned the soil in the garden to prepare for planting. In the Forum Courtyard, another Waring group worked on creating seed bombs made with wildflower mixes to plant across campus, not only adding to the beauty of the campus but giving pollinators flowery options.
Recycled & Reused Art
Other groups of students experimented with nature’s art as they visited stations that produced cyanotype art using the sun’s light. Their beautiful blue creations will be a great memento of the day’s activities.
Andrew Goldsworthy-inspired art was also created at one of the stations. Goldsworthy utilizes natural materials, such as rocks, leaves, and ice, to create unique pieces of art. Using old magazines and newspaper clippings,
Waring students also created collages to reuse and repurpose items that can be recycled. In the courtyard of the New Building, Art Teacher and Dean of Community Life, Marika worked with students on weaving a Hokusai-inspired tapestry using fabric to create a piece of art.
Research & Study
Several of the activity stations throughout the day provided students with an opportunity to learn more about their environment. One group headed to the quiet of the French Library to listen to a podcast about the nature preserve in Hawaii. In contrast, another group watched a documentary on the Lives of Animals in the ASM. A small group of Waring students headed to Salem Sound Coastwatch to gain first-hand information about cleaning the Bass River with SalemSound.org.
Recycling & Reusing Textiles
To minimize waste, conserve resources, and reduce environmental impact, Waring students planned aspects of their Earth Day around reusing and repurposing clothing and textiles. One station focused on mending and extending the lifespan of clothing. Another aspect of Waring’s Earth Day was the Clothing Swap held in the gym. Students and faculty alike were encouraged to bring gently used clothing to participate in a clothing swap.
Political Action
Students interested in how governments worldwide address climate change met at the Polygon to discuss ways they could become involved. They brainstormed concerns and drafted a letter to representatives to let their generation’s concerns be heard.
Earth Day on campus was informative, actionable, and left many of us with tools to “reduce, reuse, and recycle” in our lives. What a successful and enjoyable day for the Waring Community as we observe Earth Day 2025.
Thank you to the students who helped plan this special day – leaders, Caitlyn Miller and Evan Smith, with fantastic support from seniors Lola Prendergast, June Bogoch and 10th grader Sofia Davis. A special thank you to Stéphanie Williams, as this is her last Earth Day at Waring, as she is “graduating” after 23 years of teaching.
Want to see more pictures from Earth Day 2025? Visit our gallery on SmugMug!