Summit Academy teacher Donald Blankenship distributes small tree saplings to students, part of an Arbor Day inspired lesson near the school. Summit Academy students Yelkin and Tywan plant trees with their classmates Friday near the school. Students planted 20 trees and learned about how they can impact the environment and absorb carbon. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

SUMMIT TWP — In honor of Arbor Day on Friday, Summit Academy students planted 20 trees and learned about the importance of replenishing the environment.

Students and teachers of wood shop and photography classes participated in the event by breaking ground for black walnut trees, which have a lifespan of 70 to 90 years.

Donald Blankenship, wood shop teacher at Summit Academy, said this day is part of an initiative to teach children about the full life cycle of nature.

“As wood is what I use in my craft, we’re teaching them wood is only renewable if you put it back. We wanted to have an event to show that,” he said. “We’re exposing students to where things come from and not being wasteful, seeing how it affects the environment and that we can’t continue to take.”

Before the planting began, students gathered around Blankenship and answered questions about trees making carbon dioxide into oxygen.

“Making things out of wood is good for the environment,” he told them. “You take wood, use it and put it back, and that’s what we’re doing today. A lifetime of a tree can store up to 2 tons of carbon dioxide.”

Students then broke off and sowed the tiny roots into the soil, shielding them with a small fence. Members of the Summit Academy photography class even took action shots of their classmates digging and planting.

Yelkin, an 11th-grade student, said he most enjoyed the camaraderie and teamwork it took to make the event happen.

“I’ve enjoyed having everyone come together to do something good for the world,” he said. “I’ve always been a nature guy; I love pretty flowers and trees. I enjoy how beautiful the world is and so many people throw trash on it now. I think what I enjoy most is that we’re doing something good for it.”

Sal Costanzo, chief administrative director at the academy, said wood shop students learn the full scope of carpentry in their classrooms, from harvesting trees to building furniture.

“(Blankenship) plants for sustainable farming and students harvest those trees for projects,” he said. “Exposure is the most important part for our kids, we’ll expose them to (interests) they never thought possible. They’re real excited to do something positive.”

Costanzo added that the Arbor Day planting contributes to the academy’s mission.

“This is how we meet our mission: opening the blinders for (the students) to see what’s out there and that they can do it,” he said.

Summit Academy students Yelkin and Tywan plant trees with their classmates Friday near the school. Students planted 20 trees as part of an Arbor Day lesson about how trees can impact the environment and absorb carbon. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

Summit Academy student Canari plants a tree with classmates Friday near the school. Students planted 20 trees as part of an Arbor Day lesson about how trees can impact the environment and absorb carbon. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

Summit Academy chief administrative director Sal Costanzo, right, helps student Landon D. plant a tree near the school, part of an Arbor Day inspired lesson from teacher Don Blankenship. Students planted 20 trees and learned about how they can impact the environment and absorb carbon. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

Summit Academy teacher Don Blankenship teaches a lesson about the importance of trees in the environment prior to planting 20 trees with his students, part of an Arbor Day inspired lesson near the school. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle