BHS Students Attend Roots, Rivers, and Reclamation Institute

BEACHWOOD, OH - Seven Beachwood High School students served as student leaders this summer, spending a week at the Roots, Rivers, and Reclamation (3R's) Summer Institute. The five-day residential experience was held from July 26-31 at Hiram College in partnership with Greendal Couch Organic Farm.

Students from BHS who attended were Solomon Miklowski, Max Cannillo, Sean Lee, Sofia Mejia Barrera, Skii Bryson, and Lailah Johnson, as well as recent graduation Tamara Lennings Jenkins. BHS Science teacher and Ecology Club advisor Marquiza Russell and Transition Coordinator Dan Russell served as chaperones.

Forty students from local schools took part in the program. Working alongside undergraduate Near Peer Mentors, students participated in discussions and hands-on activities that cover topics such as, sustainable farming, field botany, and community outreach.

Johnson enjoyed the opportunity to meet students from different backgrounds, while Bryson said she liked going down to the creek and also learning how microplastics enter the environment.

Students left the program with a shared goal: bringing composting to the high school to cut food waste and build a more sustainable campus.

Russell and the participants are grateful to Greendale Couch Organic Farm and Hiram College for hosting this year's Institute.