Hi, everyone! My name is Eunice Addae-Wusu, and I’m currently pursuing a degree in the healthcare field. I’m from the beautiful country of Ghana in West Africa, where we greet each other with a warm “Akwaaba” which means “welcome” in the Akan language, a word that also reflects our reverance and harmony with Earth. I’m also a proud mother, and one of my greatest joys is bringing smiles to people’s faces. Whether it’s through a kind word or a helping hand, I genuinely love supporting others and making a positive impact wherever I can. I choose STCC due its affordability, diverse programs and excellence in education.
This semester, our Biology class had the opportunity to help organize the STCC Sustainathon in celebration of Earth Day 2025. The aim of this event was to create awareness of current environmental challenges while also celebrating success stories in sustainability. In the days leading up to the big event, the anticipation was electric. The gymnasium buzzed with activity as we worked hard to finalize our research posters and set up our displays. It was a whirlwind of creativity, teamwork, and innovation.
On the bright day of the event, the gym quickly filled with enthusiastic students from STCC, nearby schools and colleges. As President Cook welcomed the participants a wave of cheers echoed as he gave shoutouts to each participating school. The excitement peaked when he announced the winners of the research poster competition. But the biggest surprise of all came when he himself received the Champion of Change award 2025! The crowd erupted with applause, and it was a powerful reminder that sustainability truly starts with leadership and community. This was followed by 32 leader introductions who were experts in different facets of environmental sustainability. I loved the tradition of honoring our guests by shawling them and I got to shawl one of our guests.
Next came the inspiring keynote from UMass Chancellor Reyes. He painted a vivid picture of how UMass is putting sustainability into action, starting with their award-winning dining halls. From permaculture gardens and student-grown vegetables to sourcing produce from local farms, it was clear that sustainability isn’t just a concept there. He shared an exciting breakthrough in water treatment: a new technology that can permanently eliminate PFAS, those stubborn “forever chemicals” from water. He reminded us of the incredible potential of AI, especially when developed with a zero carbon footprint. It was a powerful takeaway: innovation is essential, but it must go hand in hand with sustainability. We all came away realizing that sustainability isn’t just a goal, it’s a mindset we need to fully embrace.
After that, we explored a series of fascinating booth presentations led by sustainability leaders, each diving into different aspects of creating a greener future, everything from renewable energy and bioconservation to sustainable soils, electricity from air, urban forestry, and clean water initiatives. Each booth felt like a window into a more sustainable world.
By noon, the lively rhythm of a mariachi band filled the air, instantly lifting spirits.I jumped in to help serve pizza and cookies to a very hungry (and very happy) crowd, while dancers twirled and swayed to the infectious beats. Soon, the celebration turned into a full-on fiesta. Some of us even dressed up in vibrant, colorful attire, swaying to the rhythm of the music. Our professor couldn’t resist the joy, joining us on the dance floor, proving that sustainability and celebration go hand in hand. It was a beautiful moment of connection, where students, teachers, and guests all came together as one community.
Interacting with participants opened my eyes to the power of diverse perspectives in shaping stronger, more impactful environmental solutions. What really stood out to me was how the Sustainathon didn’t just teach sustainability principles, it brought them to life through real-world problem-solving. It made learning feel not only relevant, but truly meaningful. I walked away feeling inspired and empowered, with a renewed commitment to weaving sustainability thinking into my everyday choices. I thank my professor Randhir for organizing this.
Yes friends, Sustainability is a Mindset and this will stay with me forever!
