The class of 2010 is experiencing a world that is rapidly changing and they are ready to play a significant part in all fields. These young women, steeped in Catholic social teaching, embrace diversity, inclusivity, and stewardship for the Earth. Erich Fromm said, "Our main task is to give birth to ourselves."
This class certainly has and it is exciting to see. Throughout their four years, they have learned that big things start in small ways. For instance, when Zena Sabath entered as a ninth grader, she brought with her a passion for the environment while encouraging others to be better stewards of God's awesome creation. St. Agnes is grateful to her for establishing our Earth Week and stepping up our challenge to "Go Green!" Our problem: How do we do this?
As we established an on-campus environmental program, we reached a multitude of answers in the way of recycling, conservation, and sustainability practices. At the same time, our building and grounds committee from our Board of Directors tackled these issues in keeping with the Dominican mission of caring for the Earth.
In 2008, the committee worked with TAC, an environmental consulting firm, to improve on-campus energy efficiency. After careful analysis, TAC's energy-conservation recommendations were implemented.
More energy-efficient lighting was installed, chiller and air-handling operations were optimized, and strategies and equipment were streamlined to promote ongoing environmental stewardship resulting in 18 percent ongoing savings in our overall utility bills. The percentage is equivalent to releasing 627 fewer tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, removing 135 cars from the road, powering 81 residential homes, or planting 929 trees to help restore the ecosystem carbon balance. Representatives from the Academy's student-managed Green Club met with the building and grounds committee, and members from TAC, to develop a plan for moving the school forward.
Big blue recycling receptacles now decorate our campus and make it easy for all of us to recycle. These make the single-stream collection of recyclable material - paper, glass, cardboard and plastic easier and successful. Incoming ninth-grade students are given Tiger water bottles to encourage them to stop using plastic water bottles that will contaminate the earth.
The Green Club felt it was important to have a vegetable garden on campus, thus making use of the Earth in a productive fashion. We positioned it right in front of the school in order to make an environmental statement. The club tends it and is already harvesting herbs, okra, and fruit.
Even with all of this, we have not done enough. Currently, we have been working on a new campus master plan so we can make sure we are always looking forward, keeping our buildings up-to-date, and including the newest means to a healthy environment.
In May, as I handed each graduating young woman her diploma, I was pleased to think that even though she was going into an ever-changing world with constantly evolving technology and resources, she has been given a strong Dominican education that will enhance her own special contributions to life. Whether in regards to the environment or another social-justice issue, she hasn't just learned about social justice - she's lived it.
We thank all of you for partnering with us to send out these special young women well prepared for life, who will add to the lives of others, and continue to give birth to themselves. We are a team!
God bless you,
Sister Jane Meyer, O.P., '57
Head of School
