1,158 students from CHS, CGS, CECC, St. Mary’s, and St. John schools team- up to create a successful and educational day
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Friday April 17 was Earth Day 2026 in schools across Chester. The Annual event was created several years ago by Chester High School science teachers Evelyn Hankins and Brittany Mueller and it has grown every year since then.
This year five schools from Chester teamed-up to create a most successful day of beautifying the schools, the city and the overall environment. In addition, the students and staff had fun while learning more about nation-wide Earth Day activities and improving the local surroundings.
Approximately 1, 158 students took part in the 2026 Earth Day celebration including Chester High School (336), Chester Grade School (554), St. John Lutheran (98), Chester Early Childhood Center (90), and St. Mary’s Catholic (80). Children at all levels had a great time participating in the many activities planned for the event.
Some activities were the same at all five schools, including making “Dirt” Pudding, a very delicious chocolate pudding that was topped with gooey gummy worms. These deserts were used at each school for either lunches or snack breaks.
All of the elementary schools potted brightly decorated flower pots with live flowers. Most grades Kindergarten through 5th grades colored Earth Day coloring sheets and most Kindergarten through 3rd grades were read Earth Day stories by high school volunteers.
Some special Earth Day projects were conducted at various schools. At CGS, 20 5th graders created a butterfly garden that would attract beautiful butterflies. This garden was located right in front of the school.
At CGS 6th and 7th graders, 107 in all, did various jobs at the outdoor pavilion, and along the trees that line the driveway to the school. They also weeded and mulched the CGS electronic sign in front of the school. Mulching trees was a favorite job at all schools.
121 4th and 5th graders at CGS made “trash art” and all 70 8th graders created “Memory Stones”.
At CHS the Environmental Green Team made Dirt Pudding for lunch, and set up the CHS cafeteria and outdoor concrete entrance to the Professor James F. Sharp Cafeteria for both indoor and outdoor dining. Kitchen staff Billy Rose and John August grilled delicious hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch. Other kitchen staff provided several sides to accompany the meats.
This year the Earth Day Committee continued a new tradition that was started last year. This new practice invited all local 8th graders to come to CHS the morning of Earth Day and work alongside the high schoolers. This practice provided more student labor for all of the many work projects at CHS and it also provided the 8th graders an opportunity to get acquainted with high school life, the CHS school building and grounds, and a chance to prepare for the transition to CHS next fall as freshmen.
Nine 8th graders came from St. Mary’s, nine came from St. John, and 70 came from Chester Grade School for a total of 88 8th graders. The 8th graders were also invited to join the high school students for lunch and the afternoon “Raptor Assembly”.
At CHS work crews mulched flower beds at various locations around the school property. They also planted flowers and cleaned-up previously constructed beds. The rather newly created “Escape Path” behind the school was further upgraded by a work crew of 15 high school students and an additional 35 8th graders.
The area leading down the hill to the W.O. Smith Football Field was groomed by 15 high school students, 30 8th grade students from CGS and another 5 students from St. Mary’s. The area beneath the football bleachers was further cleaned and groomed. Finally, a group of 15 students traveled to the Cohen Recreation Complex to much around several dozen trees.
A new educational entity was added to the Earth Day project in 2026. The newly opened Chester Early Childhood Center, managed by Principal Rachel Marshall, was thrilled to be included in the Earth Day activities. 82 Pre-K3 to Pre-K5 students took part in the activities. All 82 helped make “Dirt Pudding”. 59 Pre-K4 students heard Earth Day Stories, and 74 students colored Earth Day Coloring Sheets.
In addition to the other activities mentioned, students at St. John Lutheran School tended to the front garden on campus. Pre-School through 7th Grade made “Dirt Pudding (89 students).Those same 89 students also planted flower pots. 64 Pre-K through 4th Graders heard Earth Day stories. Everyone further colored Earth Day coloring sheets. The St. John Committee contact person was Principal Powley.
Seventy-four St. Mary’s students (Pre-k through 7th grade) made “Dirt Pudding” and heard Earth Day Stories. Everyone also colored Earth Day coloring sheets. The St. Mary’s Committee person was Lara Duchinsky.
Co-Coordinator of the CHS Earth Day Celebration, Evelyn Hankins said, “The 2026 Earth Day Celebration was a great success. Not only did CHS students participate but St. Mary’s, St. John and Chester Grade Schools joined us. In addition, the Chester Early Childhood Center came aboard this year making it a five-school effort!”
“This year we also teamed-up with the Chester High School PBIS Committee. Students had a choice to participate in either the Earth Day activities or the PBIS activities. Regardless of the activities the students chose, everyone had a great time and a wonderful experience”.
“The high school capped-off the day with a ‘Raptor Awareness Show’ brought to us by the World Bird Sanctuary. They brought the similar show last year. The highlights of the show were when a Harris Hawk and a Juvenile Bald Eagle flew over our heads. Everyone was amazed how low the birds flew over our heads and we could feel the breeze of their wings.”
Hawkins thanked all faculty, staff and students from all of the schools. She noted that the 2026 Earth Day Celebration would not have been such a huge success without their willingness and support.
A final new addition to the 2026 Earth Day Celebration was the addition of sponsors that helped pay for various aspects of the programming. Sponsors included Mrs. Briggs, CUSD # 139, Am Arbor Service, Inc., Asia Garden, Ace Hardware, Chester Dairy Queen, Derek’s Lawn Service, Dieterich Bank, Chester Eagles, Gilster Mary-Lee, Heberlie Mulch, Lee Sports of Nashville, Memorial Hospital of Chester, St. John PTL, Chester Wal Mart, Buena Vista National Bank, and CHS Environmental Club.
According to Evelyn Hankins, “Without their financial and in-kind support, CHS would not be able to purchase all of the necessary supplies to make Earth Day 2026 successful!”
St. Mary’s students color “Earth Day” coloring sheets Friday April 17 at CHS Earth Day 2026. Jim Beers Photo
A group of St. Mary’s students and staff pose for a photo with Chester High School students who volunteered for Earth Day activities. Jim Beers Photo
8th Grade students from St. John Lutheran School in Chester came to Chester High School to assist with Earth Day work projects Friday April 17. With the students is teacher Richard Hall. Jim Beers Photo
A 2026 CHS Earth Day crew went to the Cohen Recreation Complex Friday April 17 to mulch trees. Shown here, Bryce Bainter, CHS staff member, Billy Belton, Cohen Complex Site Manager, and Chester High School student, Kross Jany, unload mulch to be used in mulching dozens of trees. Jim Beers Photo
Logan Brace and Sam Hall mulch trees Friday April 17 at the Cohen Recreation Complex in Chester as part of the 2026 CHs Earth Day Celebration. Both are CHS students. Jim Beers Photo
This is one of the completed flower beds that students weeded and mulched in front of Chester High School Friday April 17 when CHS hosted Earth Day 2026. Jim Beers Photo
This group of 15 CHS students, five St. Mary’s 8th graders, and 30 CGS 8th graders pose for a picture with CHS teacher Jenny Cartwright Friday April 17 during the 2026 Earth Day Celebration, The large group had just finished working at W.O. Smith Football Field. Jim Beers Photo
Students enjoy a delicious meal of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers at the Professor James F. Sharp Cafeteria during Earth Day 2026. Jim Beers Photo
8th Grade students form St. John, St. Mary’s, and Chester Grade School were invited to stay for lunch Friday April 17 after they assisted Chester High School students with Earth Day work assignments. Jim Beers Photo
After completing work assignments at Earth Day 2026, students were allowed to enjoy outdoor recreational activities on the courts. Jim Beers Photo
5th graders at Chester Grade School work to build a butterfly garden for Earth Day 2026. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School students make (AND EAT) “Dirt Pudding Friday April 17 during 2026 Earth Day activities. Jim Beers Photo
Students in Mrs., Kennedy’s class potted live plants during an Earth Day 2026 activities. Pictured with Mrs. Kenndy and her students is Kasi Jany, Reading Specialist. Jim Beers Photo
Students and staff work mulching plants at the Chester Grade School pavilion Friday April 17 at Earth Day 2026 work time. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School 6th and 7th graders work mulching trees along the road leading to CGS. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School Principal Tim Blair rounded up a group of students being supervised by CGS Teacher Luke Lochhead Friday April 17 during Earth Day activities. Blair wanted to congratulate Lochhead for being awarded tenure the night before at the District 139 School Board meeting. Lochhead was appreciative of the gesture by Principal Blair. Jim Beers Photo
A group of Chester Grade School students take time out from coloring Earth Day color sheets Friday April 17 during Earth Day festivities. Jim Beers Photo
A group of students at the Chester Early Childhood Center color Earth Day color sheets Friday April 17. Jim Beers Photo
Students at the Chester Early Childhood Center work on Earth Day projects Friday April 17 during Earth Day 2026. Jim Beers Photo
Pictured are Chester Early Childhood Center staff and Chester High School students who volunteered to help students at the center work on Earth Day 2026 activities Jim Beers Photo.