Ride For Their Lives

Environmental Club President Henry Jagodzinski Gives Speech During Local Event to Raise Awareness About Pressing Environmental Challenges

Casey Rah, Editor, Reporter, and Aerial Photographer

November 30, 2023

Casey Rah

Volunteers from Billings Central pose for a picture before their ride. (Ella Fairbanks)

Volunteers from Billings Central pose for a quick picture at their second stop. (Ella Fairbanks)

A quick speech from the ‘Ride for Their Lives’ director before their ride. (Ella Fairbanks)

Senior Hank Jagodzinski giving a speech about the environment during the second stop. (Ella Fairbanks)

A detail picture of a volunteer’s bike. (Ella Fairbanks)

A detail picture of a volunteer’s smile bell. (Ella Fairbanks)

On September 24, Billings Central’s Environmental Club and HOSA, a healthcare-oriented club, joined Montana Healthcare Professionals for a Healthy Climate on a bike ride through Billings aimed at raising awareness about pressing environmental issues which detrimentally impact the health of Montanans. The group embarked on a 20 mile bike ride across Billings, beginning at the Montana Zoo and taking a break halfway through the journey to eat snacks and listen to speeches. Pediatrician and Montana Healthcare Professionals for a Healthy Climate Board Member Lori Byron invited Environmental Club president Henry Jagodzinski to speak about what he would like to hear from his doctor on the issue of climate. Jagodzinski said, “We’re now experiencing the effects of climate change that we knew for a long time were going to come…That’s something that we’re going to have to deal with and…I’m really grateful to everyone here who’s working in healthcare helping to address and caring about this issue and bringing youth voices to this conversation.”

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About the Contributors

Casey Rah, Editor, Reporter, and Aerial Photographer

Casey Rah is a senior at Billings Central Catholic High School. He has been in the Billings Catholic School System since kindergarten. Casey has been an active member of the BC Chronicle staff since the newspaper’s founding in 2020. He believes that student journalism is an excellent way to keep his peers informed about important events that affect their lives and hopes that it will help him to continue to be an active member of his community. In addition to writing his school newspaper, Casey plays on Central’s soccer team and participates in the National Science Bowl. This summer, Casey got his commercial drone license. He intends to capture aerial photos and videos for the BC Chronicle.

Ella Fairbanks, Photographer

Ella Fairbanks is a junior at Billings Central Catholic High School. This is Ella’s third year in journalism at BCCHS. Ella likes to play the cello for BCCHS’s orchestra and Moses. She also plays the bass guitar in her free time. Ella would like to pursue a career in healthcare, so she participates as the vice president in HOSA club. She also plays varsity tennis. Outside of school, Ella has her own photography/videography business and helps with her family’s business, Pinup Productions. Ella specializes in weddings, senior and family shoots, and journalism photos. Last year Ella was honored to receive first place in sports and news photography, and second place in feature photography at the annual University of Montana High School Journalism Day.