4 minute read
Student Profile: Set on Saving the Planet
Lily Shriner ’23
To create change, one must do, and Lily Shriner ’23 is on the move. Growing up near lakes and creeks, Shriner enjoyed the great outdoors, yet started to see changes in the “small biological communities on the shores and under rocks” and knew she had to do something about it.
“It was important to reverse this damage,” she explains, “so that future generations could have the privilege to participate in the same ecosystems that I had” growing up around Lake Heritage.
Shriner took her biodiversity research from science fairs to symposiums, from Boston to Ireland, in search of solutions. “The knowledge that I gained and the people that I met,” she reflects, “led me to the advocacy side of environmental science.” From these experiences, Shriner was inspired to plant more trees, participate in more stream clean-ups, and launch projects like the storm water drain murals with the Interact Club [See Q&A].
Influences
While Shriner is self-motivating, she has been inspired by the various programs in which she has participated. Although she has been involved with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Leadership Program for quite some time, it was her trip to Alaska this past summer that sparked an interest in environmental justice. Shriner spent two weeks before her senior year learning about Native Alaskan peoples through Brown University’s Pre-College Program. Their “deep connections to nature and their subsistence way of life are threatened,” she explains, “because of the changing climate conditions and infrastructure encroaching on natural habitats.” Shriner has also had some motivating experiences closer to home: Interact Club.
Under the guidance of Miss Jennifer Noel ’05, English teacher and Interact Club moderator, Shriner – as well as others – have had opportunities to plant trees, recycle plastic bottles weekly, clean up trash through Adopt-a-Highway, and create and tend to the new pollinator garden located on the Delone Avenue side of the school. Miss Noel works tirelessly to make things happen, from finding grants and organizing volunteers to helping develop action plans and listening to ideas. “Miss Noel’s mentorship,” Shriner shares, “and our shared dedication to the environment has been a highlight of my time at Delone.”
Post-graduation, Shriner plans to major in Environmental Science with minors in Marine Science and statistics. “My dream is to be a researcher,” Shriner confirms, “looking into whatever phenomena lets me be on a boat and stay near the water.”
Whatever Shriner decides to do, we will all be better for it.
Q & A: Cristian Perez talks with Lily Shriner about Her Latest Project
Q: Anyone familiar with you knows you’ve done a lot of environmental fieldwork in the past. Are there any major projects you’re working on right now?
A: Right now I am working on a project with our Interact Club. We are painting sidewalk murals throughout McSherrystown to promote awareness of storm water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Q: What goal do you hope to accomplish by showcasing these murals?
A: I’m just hoping that residents of the local area gain more awareness of the individual impacts they have on the Chesapeake Watershed and what happens to the chemicals and trash they dump into their yards.
Q: Would you like to see other schools in the watershed pursue similar projects?
A: I would love to see other schools and towns participate in this! It would spread a lot of awareness in a fun, creative manner. Statistical information is not always the most effective way to promote knowledge, so I hope this project will be able to easily connect with people.
Q: Is there a way for outside members of the community to come out and get involved?
A: Of course! You can definitely work on your own sidewalks with permission from the borough, or you can come and help us out at the school. [With the support of Interact Club Moderator Miss Jennifer Noel,] we are hoping to host a community event with guest speakers from across the watershed that will talk about our project and storm water pollution so that we can all learn how to minimize our impact and make a difference.
