In a heartening display of environmental stewardship and community service, a group of our 7th graders took to South Shore Road on Earth Day, April 22, armed with gloves, trash bags, and determination. Under the guidance of their science teacher and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Advisor, Mr. Kenney, these NJHS members embarked on a clean-up field trip to tackle the litter that had accumulated along the roadside and to give back to their community.
As the sun shone on the cold, crisp morning, the group set off with enthusiasm, eager to make a tangible difference in their surroundings. With every step, they scoured the roadside, their sharp eyes spotting discarded wrappers, plastic bottles, and other debris that marred the natural beauty of the area.
"This is about more than just picking up trash," remarked Mr. Kenney, half of the driving force behind the initiative, along with community member Monte Martin. "It's about instilling a sense of responsibility and care for our environment in these students. By taking action today, they're not only cleaning up the road, but they're also learning the importance of respecting and protecting our planet for future generations and giving back to the community they live in.
As the morning progressed, the pile of collected trash grew steadily, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young volunteers. From soda cans to candy wrappers, no piece of litter escaped their vigilant eyes.
By the end of the morning, South Shore Road bore little resemblance to its earlier state. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Kenney and his dedicated students, what was once a stretch of litter-strewn asphalt now stood as a testament to the power of community action and hard work.
As the students gathered for a group photo, their smiles reflected a sense of pride in their accomplishment. With each bag of trash and recyclables collected and sorted, these middle schoolers demonstrated that age is no barrier to making a positive difference in the world. Their actions serve as a reminder that, when it comes to protecting our planet, every individual, regardless of age or background, has a vital role to play.