Earth day is making its way back; Students, teachers anticipate activities

RILEY HEROLD Reporter

Earth Day is right around the corner. This year, Earth Day takes place on Saturday, April 22. So, what about the big outside event? Well, there is good news: the Earth Day celebration will still be happening. It will take place on Friday, April 21. Environment teachers Mrs. Laura O’Leary and Mrs. Aimee Densmore are still in the early stages of planning so more information is to come.

Sophomore Kylee Niederberger stated, “ I love Earth Day because you get to go outside all day and have fun with your friends, while also learning about the environment and animals. But, [you] also just get to see all the animals.”

According to EPA History, “Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. So, in spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda, incorporating students all over the world.”

Densmore stated, “We put together this big celebration for Earth Day in order to bring awareness on how important the environment is and how important it is to protect it. We also want to spread the word on how agriculture and the environmental parts of our facility work together to help each other out.”

This year for Earth Day, the barns will be open. All the animals will be out, including the recent new addition of the baby pigs. There will also be a whole array of tractors and student displays outside. The ag students' yearlong SAE projects will also be on display.

O’Leary stated, “This year, we are hoping for a couple community organizations, like Eden Mill Nature Center and the Estuary Center, but all the details aren’t fully announced. But, we are trying to get the goats back this year.”

O’Leary also stated, “We're going to attempt to prevent the goose from building a nest at the pond this year so that we can go down there. Due to their nesting at the pond, we were unable to last year.” There are also rumors that North Harford Elementary School might come over and participate in Earth Day with us this year.

English teacher Mrs. Emilie Philips said, “Yes, I will be taking the students out to Earth Day. I feel like students gain a positive experience because they get to learn about the different agriculture programs that we offer here, and take a look at various booths that feature club opportunities. They overall gain a whole rounded experience.”

Chemistry and physics teacher Mrs. Christine Jestel will also be taking her students out for Earth Day. She stated, “I think it’s good for students to see all the different programs that are going on here at school. One, it broadens the horizon; and two, it gives them a chance to see the opportunities that are out there for them.” similar to a CDE it is an “individual student” activity where they “compete by themselves in different topics.”

Sophomore FFA secretary

Grace Bauer said that students plan their SAE “project at the end of their freshman year and this project goes all the way through” their junior year. Students are “required to get 40 hours per year” according to Bauer.

Ortt’s SAE is “growing different varieties of soybeans.” His CDE is “agronomy,” and his LDE is “Senior Extemporaneous Public Speaking.” Each student can have different versions of these three activities.

Hellwig’s SAE is “researching different dog breeds at Miller’s Farm Market,” his CDE is “Poultry Judging and Evaluation,” and his LDE is “Senior Prepared Speaking.”

Throughout senior co-Vice President, Elisabeth Holmes years in FFA her “SAE has involved growing and Chrysanthemums.”

As she is in her senior year the senior is focused on her capstone project where she “researched how adding biochar to the soil affects how Chrysanthemums grow.” Holmes plans to take her SAE one step further.

Iriarte has different activities than her other officers as well. Her SAE is “showing and working with a gilt on North Harford’ Show Team.” Her CDE is “forestry,” and Iriarte has worked on the LDE’s of “Creed Speaking and Junior Prepared Public Speaking.”

Bauer is “hoping to compete in Vet Science” for her CDE and public speaking for ehr LDE.

Layman’s SAE is “about determining if trap color affects how many crayfish each trap catches,” with her CDE being “agronomy,” plus an LDE in “extemporaneous speaking.”

Harford Glen in need of counselors

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

Do you have a dream of becoming a camp counselor? Do you want to share your love for nature and the world around you? Well, Harford Glen might be the right place for students who would like a small break from the stress and work of school to teach elementary schoolers about the wonders of nature at Harford Glen.

Located at 502 W Wheel Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015, Harford Glen is an environmental education center. Students who visit the camp are taught sustainability and responsibility. It is important to stay in touch with the environment. The curriculum at Harford Glen focuses on understanding and learning about different factors of the natural world. Students from HCPS take turns going to Harford Glen in fifth grade.

Sophomore Joy Shore said, “Ever since I went to Harford Glen in fifth grade, it was something I thought about wanting to do. When I got the opportunity, I took it!”

Earth Day is all about celebrating our agriculture culture within the school. Last year, there were many activities that students could participate in.

She plans to continue her journey as a Harford Glen counselor again this March. Harford Glen is an experience you’ll just want to do again and again, according to Shore.

Fellow sophomore Deana Zipp added that, "When I volunteered at Harford Glen, we got to help guide the fifth graders through activities as well as help out the teachers in the classrooms. I think that I was able to learn many new skills as well as connect with other counselors. I really enjoyed just [being] able to get away from school for a couple days and have some fun.”

It is volunteer work, so student’s time spent is not paid for, but they can get service hours for their work. Students should not let volunteer work scare them away from becoming a camp counselor, because it can be really rewarding if they stick with it! Becoming a camp counselor is a great way to improve communication skills, as well as help with teamwork and leadership, according to the American Camp Association.

Shore also adds that Harford Glen taught her many valuable lessons just from becoming a counselor. She said, “being a Harford Glen counselor taught me how to be patient, kind, and a compassionate leader.” These are traits that will look good in the future on resumes for jobs or colleges.

Students can now apply to be a camp counselor online on the Harford County Public School website. Stay educated about the environment. Visit or join the Harford Glen community.