Time to Stand Up
Santa Rosa, California
2019, Senior, Performing Arts
Reflection
Reflection
As an outdoor enthusiast, I have felt a strong pull to protect wild places. I love learning the science behind the natural world. However, lately my concern for the Earth’s health has grown. Climate change is exacerbating existing problems: air and water pollution, declining fish populations, coral bleaching, and rising sea levels. These challenges inspired me to take personal actions to combat climate change. I adopted an organic, plant-based diet, carpooled to school, started a Surf Rider club, and helped my school compost meals from the cafeteria. I sought to educate my peers about how their actions affect the future of our ocean. Unfortunately, talking to peers often resulted in frustration; I was left believing not enough people cared about the planet. This year, I tried a new approach. I was taking a songwriting class at my school and decided to write about my concerns. I never sang in public, but my passion overrode my vanity. I performed my original song “Stand Up” at the end of the year school assembly and it was a huge success. My friends were really excited and they saw how much it meant to me. I want to enter this song in the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest so that my message will be available online to an even larger audience. My school is located near Monterey Bay so I was fortunate to film in a protected sanctuary. I hope this beautiful visual allows people to get behind my message of ocean conservation.