Written By: Isabella Liu

As the school year reaches its busiest stretch, inboxes fill with event announcements and shifting schedules—but one recent message stood out: details about the 2025 Student Action Summit. It will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM in the Cohen Center. This summit will bring together students from across Westchester and neighboring areas to explore how young people can collaborate together and advocate for change. The theme this year is “Sustainability and Policy for a Collaborative Future.”

This summit is held by the Student Action Summit Student Leadership Committee, who have reviewed past summits and examined how student-driven environmental projects have grown. When asked why the committee chose this year’s theme, Chase Talpins ‘27 explained, “We chose this theme because it highlights what’s truly needed to build a sustainable future: collaboration and policy change. Over the past few years, so many students have launched amazing projects in their schools and communities, but lasting impact requires a larger network.” An emphasis was made on the fact that real change happens when individual efforts connect, influence systems, and shape policy. This theme is about bringing those ideas together, celebrating what’s already been done, and exploring how collective action can drive real progress.

One of the largest changes this year is that it is interactive rather than speaker-led. Students interested in attending are encouraged to bring a project or idea connected to sustainability, no matter how small or uncertain it may be. As committee member Eliana Chorost ’26 explains, “Sustainability impacts everyone and every part of our lives, whether you realize it or not,” emphasizing that environmental thinking isn’t limited to activists or others in the professional field. She adds that “it is important to consider how sustainable thinking can lead to positive change,” a message that directly goes with the summit’s goal of helping students workshop ideas with peers and faculty mentors. The goal is to leave participants equipped with ideas, practical next steps, and new partnerships. Another important aspect is for students to build real world connections with other students and schools, allowing for bigger opportunities for regional or even national partnerships that drive sustainability work both within and beyond our community. 

This Summit will also include discussions on topics such as food waste, fertilizer runoff and water pollution, technology in environmental monitoring, and how to unify fragmented sustainability efforts. A keynote speaker, an RCDS alumna, will be announced soon.

Some students may feel hesitant to attend if they do not already focus on sustainability. Talpins directly addresses this, saying, “This summit isn’t just for people who are already deep ‘into sustainability,’ it’s really for anyone who’s curious about the world and wants to learn how real change happens. It’s a chance to explore key environmental issues and see how collaboration drives impact. And honestly, that idea of working together to make change applies to anything you care about, not just sustainability,” In other words, if you care about leadership, innovation, advocation, or even meeting new people, this summit will offer something valuable. 

Registration is free for RCDS students. Those who are interested in presenting a project can fill out an additional form. Whether you come with a fully developed idea or just curiosity, the Student Action Summit aims to give students new networks and momentum.