KEKAHA — St. Theresa School middle school students are well aware of the global climate crisis, and are prepared to stand up and be part of the solution, their teacher said.
Led by Keli Kleidosty, fifth-through-eighth-grade science teacher, 29 students participated in the worldwide Climate Strike to call attention to climate change last Friday. They made signs, brought their smiles and shakas, and spent their science period bringing awareness to passersby along Kaumualii Highway adjacent to their campus.
“This is not a problem that is going to go away,” Kleidosty said. “Our generation created this problem and has done little to negate it, so it is up to us and the next generation to make the hard choices and change.”
These learners have a plan. They know that a problem needs a solution, and they are willing to do the work.
The seventh-and-eighth-grade classes created a slideshow focused on the impact of plastics in the climate crisis. They are circulating a petition in the church, school and greater Westside communities in hopes of eliminating single-use plastics on campus. These include water bottles, plastic utensils and straws.
Their goal? Make St. Theresa School an active part of the cure to climate change.
“If we don’t make changes, it will get worse,” said seventh-grader Danielle Souza. “I hope that people agree. It is our right and our responsibility to do something about the situation.”
Her classmate Kaimalie San Agustin agreed.
“This is stewardship, taking care of our Earth,” San Agustin said. “I want clean air in the future.”
Principal Wendy Castillo said she is proud of these middle-schoolers.
“It’s easy to complain about the way things are and the problems that exist in our lives. It is even easier to just look the other way,” she said. “But we must be able to confront issues with a solution mindset. Being proactive yet respectful, taking initiative and being open to collaboration — that is what our middle-schoolers are being empowered to do.”
Castillo pointed to a saying of the school and parish patron saint, St. Theresa, that little actions done with great love create the biggest impact in the world.
“Yes, I am proud of our learners for stepping out of their comfort zone and daring to do great things,” she said.
Eighth-grader Kanoe Dusenberry said climate change means that the Earth is getting hotter because of humans.
“We need to shut down factories that make plastic materials,” Dusenberry said.
Seventh-grader Caleb Schmaeling agreed.
“Sea levels are rising because of global warming and our coastal cities will be affected,” he said. “We need to stop the use of fossil fuels and find clean energy sources. The gasses being released are too much for the Earth to handle. In Shanghai, people need to use masks to avoid breathing in pollution. We don’t want that to happen worldwide.”
Eighth-grader Josey Ann Mattos connected the class project to school values.
“This is about family and community,” she said. “We need to come together to get the word out. I hope that the world can come together.”
“If high government officials hear us, changes can be made on a bigger level,” added Melissa Thompson, eighth-grader.
