Climate Rally!

April 22nd was Earth Day. To me everyday was Earth Day, but I quite enjoy the festivities that others put on during this time. On Sunday April 25th I along with two buses of NYC students and residents drove five hours to attend the Climate Change Rally in Washington D.C.

We woke up at 6:00 am in order to get to the bus at Penn Station by 8:00. We ended up leaving at 8:45 and arriving around 1:00. Once we got to the Rally we walked on the National Mall in the direction of the White House. There was a giant stage on in the distance after a parade of tents and booths housing various environmental organizations; profit and non-profit.

By the time we weaseled our way to about fifteen feet from the stage, many speakers had started. Most were interesting, but the noise of the surrounding crowd kept it from getting too educational. The most prominent and effective speech was made by one young woman who shouted "Green for All, All for Green" From the Green For All foundation. Green for All is a national organization working to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Check them out here: Green For All

I had prepared for rain, and as a very pale person who despises getting sunburns, I left the middle of the crowd for safer ground underneath the shade. After enjoying some great music from Passion Pit (a band from my home of BOSTON!) I got extremely distracted by all the history around me and got up to explore the Mall. I hadn't been to D.C. since 8th grade (7 years ago!) I remember it as my favorite trip and have been desperate to get back there ever since. I walked alone to the Sculpted Art Garden and decided I wanted to live in D.C. at some point of my life.

I headed back to the Rally area and met back up with my friends and we went on our own much longer tour of the National Mall. We trekked up towards the Washington Monument, past the new World War II memorial, along the Reflecting Pool and up the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial. There I took a picture of the view that MLK Jr. had when he gave his famous "I have a dream" speech. Something I am pretty sure I did not do in 8th grade, nor had no idea what it really meant.

We went back to the Rally and listened to some more speakers, explored the tents and booths (we got our picture taken in Pandora via green screen). And signed up for a ton of different organizations' newsletters.

James Cameron, director of Avatar, was giving his speech when we returned and urged all 200,000 of us there to convince 10 people that Climate Change is real and to do something about it.

We jammed out to some more music and headed out before it ended (there was a tornado warning?!?!)

Overall it was a good time, and a good way to spend my Earth Day Weekend. Although I was seriously exhausted, sun burnt, and in pain from walking so long; totally worth it. Hopefully the Obama administration will think it's worth it and start actually making legislation that gets us back to 350.

P.A.C.K.

If you don't know, now you know. Well not yet, but almost! They are called "P.A.C.K." and they are comprised of four of the greatest human beings on this lovely Earth.

Palange

Alderson

Cote

Kronenberg

Each of them, unique in their own way has gone off into this world and has created a life of their own. But before they went on separate paths, they were separate beforehand. At this beginning, they met at Matignon High School in Cambridge, MA and became friends. At Cote's birthday party at Cracker Barrel during the three elder girls' sophomore year, they came up with the acronym P.A.C.K. to label themselves a group of friends. There was no turning back after that.

The four girls have had many adventures; too many to count. Each adventure brought them closer together, and to this day, the girls experience life together through visits, the internet, and with phone calls. Here is a brief introduction to each of the four girls.

Palange, Victoria

The youngest of the group; Victoria, was born and raised in Cambridge, MA. She has a younger sister, Isabella, and a mother and father (Susan and Stephen respectively). She entered Matignon High School in the Fall of 2004. At Matingon, Victoria was on the track team where she did long jump and ran the 200 meter. She was president and often the star of the drama club. She was co-founder and vice-president of the Photography Club, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, Art Club, Choir, and Asian Cultural Society. After graduating as Valedictorian and senior class president, Victoria enrolled at Harvard undecided. She is currently a sophomore there, where she studies French literature and works at Harvard's Dorm Crew as a Captain. Watch out for this spitfire!

Alderson, Rachel

Rachel was born in Woburn, MA to Elizabeth and Harry Alderson. She is the third of four children of the Aldersons. She has a brother, Michael, and two sisters, Laura and Gillian. Rachel attended St. Charles school in Woburn where she played basketball. In the fall of 2003 she entered Matingon High School, following in the footsteps of her two older siblings. At Matignon she was active in the Art Club, the Asian Cultural Society, and Photography Club. Rachel works full time in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Cote, Nicole

Nicole is the second of three children to Mirabel and Anthony Cote. Her oldest brother is A.J. and her younger brother is Marc. Nicole and the Cote clan live in Medford, MA. Nicole (called Cote) went to St. Ray's school in Medford where she played basketball and soccer. When she entered Matignon she played varsity soccer for four years and lacrosse for one year. She was also a member of the Photography Club, the Asian Cultural Society, the Art Club, National Honor Society, and was in the Drama Club for a year. Cote enrolled in UMass Boston's prestigious Nursing program, but later switched to Computer Science. Nicole works at a doctor's office. She wants to work as a video game designer and will be going on an exchange program to study in California in the Fall of 2010.

Kronenberg, Alice

Alice is the oldest of the group, and was born and raised in Winchester, MA. She has two older brothers, John and David. Her parents include: mother, Alice (Bonnie), and father, Dennis. Alice attended Muraco Elementary and McCall Middle School before she entered Matignon High School. There she played varsity soccer for four years, track and field for one, and lacrosse for one year. She was co-founder and president of the Photography Club, secretary of the Drama Club, and secretary of the National Honor Society. She was also an active member of the Art Club, and the Asian Cultural Society. Alice currently attends Fordham Univeristy's College of Business Administration where she is studying Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in Communications and Media studies. She works part time at a movie theatre.

More information on these lovely girls will follow! Their adventures will be told as their lives unfold!

Peace and Prosperity,

Alice Shea