What are the highlights to take away from this year's EcoChallenge?

EcoChallenge

Q: What are the highlights to take away from this year's EcoChallenge? 

A: "The 2016 EcoChallenge was a great success!" writes Yolanda Cieters, sustainability manager in the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability (CEJS). Cieters shares the following facts, figures and anecdotes about the challenge: 

During April, Earth Month, 97 students, staff, faculty, and alumni came together to commit to 3 weeks of exploration and challenges related to how one's actions impact the environment. 

Some of the most noteworthy accomplishments specific to this year's challenge were:   

• In order to live out the Seattle University Jesuit values, we unveiled a new theme for this year's week three… Social Sustainability!   

• Participants were provided with opportunities to connect with other local organizations and events -a social justice concert at Benaroya Hall; a local film production company, Longhouse Media, that focuses on indigenous rights; and SU's own Seattle Food Rescue.   

• New to this year, individuals were able to sign up not just in teams  but also individually , and the challenge was extended to alumni , increasing the accessibility and reach of the EcoChallenge.   

• And the participants had a blast!   

"This was the best Eco-Challenge yet…I found everything to be informative and worth my time!"   

"I thoroughly enjoyed talking with my fiancé about this challenge and all that I was learning."   

"My mom enjoyed the emails, as well!"   

And special congratulations to our winners over the course of the challenge, who each received a $25 gift card to a local business:    

Week 1: Anita Sandoval

Week 2: Callie Moothart, Jackie Saarenas

Week 3: Rachael Brown, Kelly Besmer, Melissa Pico

Overall Winning Team: The Polliwogs - Matilda Schroeter, Gordon Miller and Kimberly Gawlik