Student makes event part of school project

RENOVO — Jesse Newlen is one of dozens of volunteers who have been working to help organize and prepare trails for the second annual Hyner View Trail Challenge next month.

Newlen, a senior at Bucktail Area High School, is using his work with the PA Trail Dogs as his senior graduation project.

The program requires all high school seniors to complete 20 hours of participation in a community service project.

For Newlen, the project feels less like work than pleasure, he said. The Bucktail student participated in last year’s event, had a great time and witnessed first hand how the event helped the Western Clinton County Sportsmen’s Association and his community. Last year’s Challenge brought more than 400 participants into the rural area.

Many of these individuals stayed in local motels, ate in local restaurants and purchased items in Renovo area stores. All of this made Newlen realize, he said, how the event boosted the local economy.

For these reasons — as well as his joy in working in the Sproul State Forest — Jesse said he decided to devote his time to the Hyner View Trail Challenge.

Jesse said he has made many new friends while building new trails that will be of use to future generations. He said he feels good that the work that he is doing will have a lasting effect on the community.

To complete his senior project, Jesse will write a paper about his experiences, thoughts and feelings. He will also create a visual display to augment his upcoming oral presentation.

His advice to underclassmen at Bucktail is to start planning their projects early and to do something they enjoy.

Jesse would like to encourage local individuals to consider volunteering to help with the Hyner View Trail Challenge.

To learn more about the Hyner View Trail Challenge, check out their Web site, www.hikerun.com or call Craig Fleming, race Director, at 814-321-8281.