Published in the April 13-26, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Two walkers take part in last year’s event.
Photo by Maureen Pramanik
Mount Madonna School fourth graders interviewed MMS fifth grade teacher Jessica Cambell, a member of the school’s Summit for the Planet planning committee.
What is Summit for the Planet and what is the purpose of the event?
Summit for the Planet is a combination of two things, a festival to celebrate the planet, and an eco-friendly fundraiser to benefit Mount Madonna School and other local nonprofit educational and environmental organizations.
What does Mount Madonna School do at this event?
MMS uses Summit for the Planet as a place to showcase student talent, share students’ environmental work, and gather as a community.
Why does the Mount Madonna School put on this event every year?
MMS hosts this annual event so that it can provide environmental education opportunities to its students as well as the local community. This event is a significant part of the fundraising that MMS engages in to help maintain the diversity and depths of its educational programs.
What is the history behind this annual event the school puts on?
Summit started 10 years ago as a small festival to celebrate and raise awareness of the need to protect Earth’s environment. Shortly after, community members wanted to join and share what we were doing to help protect our planet. A few years ago, a walk-a-thon fundraiser and eco-carnival were added to provide more family fun and help support school programs. More recently, we have added a spirit week to help get the students excited for the start of the event.
When and where does Summit for the Planet take place?
It takes place on the campus at the top of Summit road off Highway 152 and begins at 9 a.m., April 23. The festival is free.
After a junior journalism videochat with publisher Marty Cheek, Nicholas Cabassa’s fourth-grade class conducted an interview and wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.
