Notre Dame Academy’s Earth Team took first place in their division and overall at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center’s Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition.

NDA’s Earth Team was created by fourth grader Grace Rosa and is coached by her mother Harriet Rosa. After watching the Disney Channel’s “Friends for Change,, Grace decided that she wanted to make a difference in the environment. 

After seeking approval for her club idea, she recruited students to join in her efforts. The Earth Team members are Grace Rosa, Sarah Zelnick, Lily Osterloh, Grace Drmacich, Shannon Lorusso, Amy Zureich, Isabella Marquez, Sarah Torres, Lily Gowens, Caroline Izquierdo, Anna Izquierdo, Belen Izquierdo, Quinn Watch, Lucie Watch, Morgan Mannion, Ivey Gowens, Sierra Gowens, Kate Ryan, and Megan Ryan.   

The Team entered the “Sustainable Gingerbread House” competition sponsored by the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. The team submitted the “World of Green” gingerbread house in the 3^rd-6^th grade category and won 1^st place. 

Out of 71 total participants, Notre Dame Academy students also received the 1^st place overall award. 

Julie Derucki, Upper Elementary and Middle School Principal at Notre Dame Academy stated: “What a great testimony of how one student’s passion and idea became a purposeful club that addresses local and global concerns about the environment. This is a true example of our International Baccalaureate programme in action.”

Notre Dame Academy is a Marist and International Baccalaureate World School serving Pre-K3 through 8th grades. Accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization for the Primary Years Programme and SAIS/SACS, the school is located at 4635 River Green Parkway in Duluth, GA. Families interested in Notre Dame Academy may find more information at www.ndacademy.org.