Fifth grader asks community to celebrate Earth Hour
Eleven year-old Brianna Fitzpatrick, the daughter of Barry and Susan Fitzpatrick, is asking for your help in celebrating Earth Day on Tuesday.
Fitzpatrick asks people to participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights and other electronics for one hour. The students at Onaway Area School will be doing activities and eating while the lights are out at the school.
The World Wildlife Federation started Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia in 2007 because they wanted people to realize that we do leave behind a human footprint.
While visiting Chicago over spring break Fitzpatrick and her family participated in Earth Hour. Chicago was one of the four major cities in the United States to participate on March 29. The Sears Tower, the Hancock Building, Navy Pier, all the department stores, more than 500 McDonalds restaurants, the theater district, and Wrigley and Soldier Fields all turned off their non-essential lights. Many other restaurants and households also participated.
Brianna was empowered, even though at times being a kid she felt like she couldn?t make a difference, participating in Earth Hour changed all that. She wanted to bring that feeling back to the kids at school, to let them know that they can make a difference.
She knew Earth Day was coming up and knew her hometown could celebrate a community Earth Hour. The community is asked to turn their lights off between 7 and 8 p.m.
Upon returning to school Brianna met with Mrs. Miller, the elementary school principal and explained what she hoped to accomplish. She wanted to turn the lights off at lunch and in the halls if possible. She drafted a letter for all the students Friday folders explaining the event and will place posters around the elementary school. She also asked the teachers to do something for Earth Day in their classrooms, like pictures, word searches, and crossword puzzles. M
Next on the list was talking to superintendent Bob Szymoniak. Brianna discussed why and what she had proposed, again she received the support she needed. After talking to the fifth grade, middle school and high school science teachers about her goals she asked the teachers to show students ?The 11th Hour? DVD, which explains the state our Earth is in, they all agreed to do this as well.
Brianna has also asked local businesses to allow her to hang posters in their facilities letting the community know about ?Onaway Earth Hour? and has received a lot of support.
Brianna hopes through her effort that Earth Hour will become an annual event. She wants to challenge other schools to participate next year. ?I hope that this event will make more people award that even the little things you do make an impact, that we are all in this together, and even if you are just a kid you can make a difference? said Brianna.