Amina Gorman ’26 leads student band Goose & Moose in a rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.”
Last Friday, Susie’s courtyard came alive with the vibrant energy of the Earth Day Festival (Earth Fest). The event included a multitude of food and games, even transforming the space into a stage for an eclectic mix of performances. From the playful tunes of student bands to the sharp rhythmic beats of choreographed jump-roping, the event proved that environmental sustainability and creativity were a strong combination.
Earth Fest, a beloved annual celebration at Andover, brought students and faculty together to celebrate both artistic expression and environmental sustainability. MC of the event, Jaciel Britton ’25, shared her thoughts on the night which featured a variety of performances and highlighted the importance of climate awareness. With interactive activities and conversations, Earth Fest sparked meaningful discussions about sustainability.
“It was really fun. Everyone was here to cheer on their peers and everything and celebrate Earth Week. I really loved the flowers hanging that they have on the balcony railings, it was gorgeous, and it brought it all together really well, ” Britton.
Britton not only appreciated the energy of the event, but the change in scenery. Contrasting with previous years’ Earth Fests, Britton preferred the courtyard’s acoustics and shorter distance to food, allowing for the audience to enjoy the various shows while munching on an array of dinner dishes.
“Before this, we were on the Gelb Lawn, and they would set up a big stage and everything. Yeah, I know we did [Earth Fest] last year, and the year before. This is always a fun event. I really like the venue change. So I guess this is more efficient, and it’s also closer to the food. I feel like the acoustics are a little better,” said Britton.
Sebastian Lemberger ’25, the organizer of Earth Fest for the past three years, shared his optimism about the event’s success. He highlighted the enthusiasm of attendees, noting how they not only enjoyed the activities but also took away valuable insights on sustainability. For Lemberger, the combination of fun and education made the event feel like a triumph.
“I’ve hosted it every year except for my freshman year. Despite the cloudy weather, it [felt] very joyful… It’s different because usually we have a bigger show and less like games and stuff. Whereas this year we had a 20-minute show. We also had a lot of climate change themed games. This year it was more interactive and that generally works better because people often leave midway through the shows, but this year they stayed,” said Lemberger.”
Performer at the event, Hannah Jung ’28, shared her passion for competitive jump roping to the crowd, creating a memorable performance. Being her first performance at Andover, Jung brought a wave of enthusiasm to Earth Fest.
“When I first went up no one knew what competitive jump roping was, but by the end, everyone was cheering. I based [my choreography], first on the song by Taylor Swift, ‘Are You Ready for Tt?’ I added some personal embellishments, and the entire thing was choreographed by myself. It was actually really cool since it was my first time performing at school,” said Jung.
Another performer, musician Bruce Ru ’28, reflected on his hurried preparation process, writing and practicing last minute but still pulling through confidently on the event day. Through organization and skill, Ru’s Rockwell ensemble with Niccolo Suk ’28 and Eric Myung ’28, performed their own composition, just for the Earth.
“It was like one of those Rossini operas where it’s the day of the performance and we haven’t written the overture and then he chucks the music out the window to the copyist downstairs who writes it down for the impeccable orchestra in the Teatro Fenice,” said Ru.
For Ru, seeing the younger generation getting involved with environmental concerns and awareness gave hope for future generations. Taking part of a wider movement showed Ru his role in carrying the weight of the future.
“Another highlight was when I saw faculty kids. Very small little boys and girls, and they were enjoying this Earth Fest too. And it’s really up to the future generation, to the people who are still in their formative years, to develop a sense of urgency, a sense of responsibility to act. And the youngest of us, I think, carry the most promise,” said Ru.
