Reflections by Adam Hall, ISDenver Middle School Design Faculty & Founder of Million Solar Stars

The world has lost a luminous soul. Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, conservationist, and founder of Roots & Shoots, recently passed away and will be deeply missed. Her legacy, however, continues to shine in the hearts and minds of millions, especially in the young changemakers she believed in so deeply.

I had the honor of meeting Dr. Jane on a full moon Halloween evening in Shanghai in 2012. She spoke to a room filled with Roots & Shoots students, celebrating the planting of one million trees through the Million Tree Project. Her message was one of hope, resilience, and gratitude for our planet. She reminded us that while humans can achieve incredible feats like landing on the Moon and sending rovers to Mars, we must use that same brilliance to protect our one and only Earth.

The next evening, I had the privilege of speaking with her one-on-one. Though more than a decade has passed, I remember our first meeting clearly. We laughed about my Moonwalk for Earth project and the Guinness World Record I set for the longest moonwalk (yes, the dance move!). She saw both the humor and the heart behind it. When I shared my vision for a global student-led solar initiative, she listened with genuine interest. That conversation became the seed for Million Solar Stars, an initiative inspired by Roots & Shoots and dedicated to engaging one million students in scaling up solar power at schools worldwide.

I was fortunate to connect with Dr. Jane several times over the years. She graciously read my master’s thesis and endorsed the Million Solar Stars program. Her handwritten note to me read:

For Adam – Never give up – just go on with the Moon Dance for ever!
Jane Goodall

I won’t give up, Jane. Your belief in young people, your tireless advocacy for conservation, and your humor and optimism continue to guide us. At the International School of Denver, your influence shines through every student who dreams big, takes action, and leads with purpose. Million Solar Stars is one way we carry your vision forward.

Thank you, Jane, for your guidance, your insight, and the lasting impact you’ve made. You led with wisdom and heart, and you left a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Read more about Million Solar Stars.

Million Solar Stars Shines Bright at ISDenver.

Lighting the Way: Adam Hall's Journey of Empowering Students and Championing Sustainability through Million Solar Stars

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