Children Lead Change for Earth Day Celebration

This year’s Earth Day Celebration was a powerful example of what can happen when students take initiative and a community comes together in support of a shared purpose.

Organized by the MST HEAL students and the faculty and parent sustainability groups, the after-school event transformed the Garden, Art Room, and MPR into vibrant spaces filled with creativity, learning, and action for the environment.

Students led many aspects of the celebration, preparing vegan snacks, organizing games and activities, hosting presentations, and running secondhand clothing, toy, and craft sales. Families, faculty, and parent volunteers enthusiastically supported the event, helping create an atmosphere that was deeply purposeful. Special mention goes to Naoko, Sustainability Lead who was the Tireless Chief Coordinator, Throughout the celebration, the focus remained clear: caring for the planet and building a more sustainable future together.

Special presentations and workshops encouraged the community to think more deeply about environmental stewardship. Guests like Richard Pearce from Sustainable Daisen spoke passionately about preserving habitat for the Japanese Giant Salamander. He had just published a comprehensive guide about Japanese reptiles and amphibians and donated a copy to the school library. 

Others shared their work protecting ecosystems and wildlife, while hands-on activities such as rice cracker making, a darning workshop and sustainability-focused student presentations invited participants to consider practical ways to reduce waste and live more thoughtfully. In keeping with the spirit of the event, families were encouraged to bring reusable containers, cups, and napkins to minimize waste throughout the afternoon.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of students and the generous support of the MST community, the Earth Day Celebration raised ¥100,463 to support Greenpeace Japan, Silva, and Sustainable Daisen. In addition, donated clothes and toys from the event will be sent to Bidii Yetu for Change, extending the impact of the celebration beyond the school community.

More than a fundraiser, the Earth Day Celebration reflected the values of responsibility, collaboration, and hope. It was inspiring to see students not simply learning about sustainability, but actively leading efforts to create positive change in the world around them.

Wind Edward Kim