Wednesday, April 22 marked the 29th annual celebration of Earth Day. This year, because of an increased awareness of environmental degregration The Outdoor Club along with the Bioscience Club and ASB made the celebration of Earth Day something to remember and hopefully something that will become tradition.

"Now more than ever we need more awareness - we know so much more now," said Environmental Science and Biology teacher Vera Gomes. Gomes along with Earth Science teacher Jim Ostdick want students to learn about the importance of the environment and have fun celebrating Earth Day.

"We need to change our sense of this throwaway society. We all live on the same planet - the environmental problems [we face] are global," said Gomes.

Although the day is mainly celebrated to help people become more aware environmental issues. However, teachers want to make the day fun for students. "We want to have a collaboration of the Outdoor club, BioScience club and ASB,” said Ostdick.

The lunch time event "Party for the Planet" included: crushed can hoop shoot, used CD frisbee golf, Plastic bottle Nerf bowling, tin can pyramid stacking contest and newspaper bundle tractor pull strength contest.

“We want to promote good citizenship and we want students to reduce, reuse and recycle,” said Ostdick. The games students and staff played during lunchtime included items that could be recycled.

SBHS also had an Earth Day Art contest; winners have yet to be announced.

A tree will also be planted in honor of the senior class of 2009.

Ostdick also encourages students to go the the Riverbed Cleanup on Saturday (April 25) on Southside Road. For every four students there needs to be an adult chaperone.