Community Voices with Sophia Manzur: Mt. Madonna students learn to care for environment at Summit for the Planet

Published in the April 19 – May 2, 2017 issue of Gilroy Life

By Sophia Manzur

Sophia Manzur

Summit for the Planet is a fundraiser that helps keep Mount Madonna School unique. It raises money in a fun and creative way. The first part is a walk-a-thon where we get to walk through the redwood forest, which is a healthy activity and also reminds you to enjoy the environment. Afterward we all gather for the eco-carnival that raises more money and has activities where you learn how to save our planet and animals.

Some fundraisers do not make it so students are involved, but at Mount Madonna School every student has a fun part. Students ask family and friends to sponsor them in the walk-a-thon. All the elementary classes make eco-friendly games from recycled materials for the carnival.

Every student performs by singing, and they get to show their parents and friends the work they have done in science class. My class, which is fifth grade, will present our environmental project on the Santa Cruz kangaroo rat. The seventh grade class, which is my sister’s class, will present their environmental project, Seed of Flame, about the Loma Fire that happened last fall. It recently won first place for middle school and $25,000 in the national Lexus Eco Challenge!

If you come, you will be inspired by the projects and the eco-friendly games because you are learning about helping the environment while having fun. The walk through the redwood forest is very beautiful. You will see a pretty view of the ocean and be surrounded by nature. There will be a lot of happy kids running through the forest. There will be many varieties of food, and a science area where you will be able to hold a snake and other reptiles and amphibians. There will also be pony rides and activities for kids, live music, a trash fashion show, and solar car races.

Please come to Summit for the Planet with your friends, family and kids from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. April 29 at the school. You will learn a lot about the environment and have a really good time.

Sophia Manzur is a fifth-grade student at Mount Madonna School.