The EARTH Games are back!

The time of year that the EARTH community most looks forward to is the day when everyone puts on their team jersey to enjoy sports, camaraderie, adrenaline, and unique moments that forge lasting bonds between students, staff, and faculty. The long-awaited day is July 6 – the EARTH Games, an event that our University has celebrated since the pioneer generation laid the foundations. Year after year, this event has helped generate a sense of closeness, solidarity, and rootedness at EARTH. The entire community divides into six teams – named Nogal, Cedro, Cusucos, Carey, Almendro, and Guarumo – to compete and sing traditional cheers throughout the day.

The EARTH Games were especially memorable this year since the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first- and second-year students had never participated in the activity. And it had been a long time since we could gather as a community, aside from daily activities, to share smiles, goals, incomparable dance steps, and our love of being together. This year’s EARTH Games gave us all that and more.

Thanks to the student organizing committee, Cecilia González (in charge of health, recreation, and sports), and other staff, the event was hugely successful with outstanding participation and fellowship. For months, the committee worked to define the more than 40 activities that took place during the day, organize the teams, coordinate the assistants who traveled from San Jose to be referees, and launch the EARTH Games opening ceremony on the night of July 5. The traditional opening celebration is when the teams “warm up their engines,” presenting their mascots, flags, and representative choreographies, and when our characteristic EARTH spirit ignites passionately.

“We are very proud that this is an Institutional activity organized by students. They realize that everything depends on them and their abilities to lead. For example, student Andrea Cortes (‘23, Mexico) shared that this event challenged her to use all her knowledge and leadership skills because many participants turned to her for guidance. We are also proud that everyone showed great empathy, tolerance, and affection despite being rivals,” says Cecilia González.

Besides marking the 30th anniversary of the EARTH Games in 2022, we celebrated returning to hugs and smiles after two challenging years of resilience and change.

Thanks to the entire community for making these Games unforgettable!