More than 200 students gathered at Julius West Middle School for Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) annual Youth Climate Summit, a daylong event focused on education, advocacy and student-led climate action.
Middle and high school students from across the county collaborated on local climate solutions, designed action projects, and networked with peers and environmental groups, according to a press release.
Quinley Borden, a sophomore at Richard Montgomery High School and the event’s MC, called the summit a unique opportunity for young people to connect and grow.
“It gives students the tools and connections to make change in their schools, communities and daily lives,” Borden said in a press release. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and build connections with other student groups and organizations working on climate issues in MCPS.”
The event included opening remarks from Julius West Middle School Principal Craig Staton and a keynote address by Montgomery County Climate Change Officer Sarah Kogel-Smucker.
MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor also stopped by to show support.
Led by the Student Climate Action Council, the summit featured workshops on school sustainability efforts, actionable steps for tackling climate challenges, and strategies for effective student advocacy.
Students also helped plant shrubs on school grounds.
Lunch was provided and leftovers were donated to the Rise N Shine Foundation to assist local families experiencing food insecurity.
Event organizers emphasized sustainability throughout the day.
“There was little to no waste from the event,” said Adria “Nikki” Snyder, MCPS Pre-K–12 science instructional specialist and summit lead, in a press release. “Food scraps, plates, utensils and even used boxes of water were all composted.”
In the final session, students were encouraged to create personalized climate action plans.
“This year, I was most looking forward to seeing the students’ personal climate action plans,” Borden said. “These plans reflected what students learned and how they plan to implement change.”
Members of the Student Climate Action Council, Brendyn Illiff, Walter Sha, Megan Stallard, and Borden, also led a panel discussion during the event.
Photo Courtesy MCPS
