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‘Keep PA Beautiful’

KCSD PHOTO Participants in the CMHS Student Government “Keep PA Beautiful” clean up included, in no particular order, Seth Harman, Olivia Hanna, Ethan Hall, Sarabeth Bowmaster, Gianna Dressler, Rylie Swortwood, Eva Jones, Kati Kwiatek, Eve Eisenhower, Avery Heverly, Briana Bottorf, Emily Miller, Gavyn Walker, Kendall McCluskey, Finn Wertz and Mrs. Lindsay Kalbach. Not pictured, Christina Lugg and Allan Lugg.

MILL HALL — When a majority of students were racing to their buses and cars at 3:02 p.m. the Thursday before Easter weekend, a select few stuck around and participated in the annual CMHS Student Government “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful” campus clean up.

The event registers and reports to the state initiative and is always scheduled in conjunction with Earth Day. This is the 3rd annual clean up done by the group.

This year, students canvassed Central Mountain High School grounds, the wetlands, Central Mountain Middle School campus, Mill Hall Park, and UPMC Lock Haven. Once the event is registered, our local PennDOT provides bags, gloves, and vests for the volunteers.

“The recent wind storms have really had an impact on the litter” said Angela Harding, CMHS Student Government advisor. “Tree lines, fences, tall grasses, and ditches are all gathering spots for windblown debris.” While the group gathered litter, Harding drove to each location checking on the students, taking pictures, and offering more supplies if needed.

This year’s event was chaired by CMHS student, Jenni Skow. Skow had a softball game the day of the clean up, but organized student sign ups and permission slips. She and the public relations committee also hung signs around school and encouraged clubs and groups to get involved. National Honor Society students were given points for volunteering their time. NHS advisor, Mrs. Lindsay Kalbach also helped in the efforts.

In total, 18 bags of garbage and one tire were collected. One full bag and a tire were retrieved from the wetlands and seven additional bags from the CMHS campus. The middle school yielded four bags, one at Mill Hall Park, and five bags of garbage were collected around the property at UPMC Susquehanna Lock Haven. Most of the collection at UPMC occurred along the tree line Flemington side and the hill behind Extended Care.

When asked why this project is so important, Student Government President, Sarabeth Bowmaster said “I think it’s our generation’s job to keep our planet beautiful and alive for the generations after us.” When posed with the same question, secretary Olivia Hanna said, “It’s important to create a lasting and positive impact on our school and community”.

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