ScarlettHenery

M

arian’s Sustainability Board features passionate members of the student body who devote their time to making Marian more sustainable. Sustainability Club has implemented two recycling programs as well as a composting system we are all familiar with at lunch. As of this year, our lunchroom waste has reduced by 10 percent. Other advancements have included targeting big Marian events such as Walk-A-Thon and Field Day. There is now a sustainability category in the Field Day judging to incentivize being sustainable during the week. 

Out of these students in the club there are two seniors specifically who dedicate themselves entirely to the future of sustainability at Marian: President Kenadie Rudloff and Vice President Sydney Auman. You may have seen Rudloff and Auman behind the big trash cans at lunch as they are always willing to lend a helpful hand to those new to sustainable waste practices. 

Rudloff has been a sustainability member since freshman year and has been a key factor in the advancements of the club. With the club almost being cut freshman year due to lack of participation, Rudloff made changes to rework the club and make sure it was here to stay for years to come. 

Sustainability is not only a club to Rudloff but something she is extremely passionate about. As a Catholic school, she feels that the Marian community should be caring for God’s creation and “as Marian girls, we are empowered to help those in need, including Mother Nature.” Rudloff has advocated for better sustainability during Field Week, running clothing drives, setting up campus clean ups and more. 

Outside of Marian’s club, Rudloff is a part of the community group called “Students for Sustainability, which runs protests, meetings, and events centered around environmental advocacy within Omaha,” Rudloff said. She encourages underclassmen to join the club and even to become board members. To all students, she encourages them to practice sustainability as best as they can as and she said “every little action you take helps make a difference.” Sorting your trash at lunch, reusing paper, and thrifting clothes are all sustainable practices that we can do in our lives. 

As for Sydney Auman, she joined Sustainability Club to show support for Rudloff. She said that joining was one of the best things to happen to her as she became so heavily involved and found a passion for sustainability. 

Auman says that we have “a duty to protect the earth since it’s our home and we only get one.” She says that she participates outside of school by composting and recycling as well and using reusable materials in her daily life. She would like the student body to know that individual actions do make a difference.

With two extremely influential seniors leaving the Sustainability Club at Marian, they hope that underclassmen will be inspired to join the efforts. Rudloff and Auman leave Marian with a lasting impact on the Sustainability Board and a passion to continue practicing sustainability through their lives.