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Students make up roughly half of 'Make a Difference Day' volunteers
Keep Midland Beautiful staff anticipated about 2,800 Midlanders participated in this year's efforts, up from about 1,100 in 2007, Nava said.
by Kathleen Thurber
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Successfully lining up more than 100 fourth-graders in a quiet line as they each clutched an oversized trash bag and chattered excitedly about their new T-shirts and work gloves arguably was the most difficult part of Greathouse Elementary's participation in this weekend's "Make a Difference Day Cleanup."
But once the group was shuffled in the appropriate direction, with teachers manning the end of every 20-student line, cleaning up the campus was a breeze.
"I think it's very important because I've seen so many cities that are full of trash," said Cassidy Wray, as she and a classmate scrutinized the school's parking lot for any signs of litter. "We need to keep Midland clean."
The fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students at Greathouse Elementary who cleared their campus of litter as part of Keep Midland Beautiful's 25th annual fall cleanup this week were part of a group of about 1,400 students city-wide who learned about volunteerism as they committed to making their campuses look presentable, said litter prevention coordinator Catarina Nava.
Business and church groups as well as neighbors, Adopt-a-Spot crews and others also were out over the weekend, cleaning corners of the Tall City that often were filled with debris blown in from the stern West Texas winds. Keep Midland Beautiful staff anticipated about 2,800 Midlanders participated in this year's efforts, up from about 1,100 in 2007, Nava said.
For students, the cleanup came in conjunction with other recent lessons about being a part and giving back to their community, said teacher Robyn Jackson, who organized Greathouse Elementary's "Make a Difference" day participation.
Most of the students, fourth-grade teacher Angela Johnson said, have never volunteered before and the cleanup gave them a great chance to get started.
Fourth-grader Derek Thomas said he's helped in the annual cleanups with his family in previous years and that he was excited about participating again.
Most of the 9- and 10-year-olds, though, did say they'd never volunteered before. However, several clearly grasped the importance of it and a few even named the organizations they've picked out to help in the future.
Keep Midland Beautiful holds community cleanups twice a year, its Executive Director Doreen Richardson said, and the events often are paired with education about litter prevention and recycling that is meant to make an impact year-round. Saturday's cleanup was held in conjunction with a "Green Team" lunch where information about keeping the environment clean was available.
The fourth-graders got a jump start on Saturday's picnic lesson, sharing the importance of picking up trash with one another before heading back to class Thursday, though some also took part in the weekend lunch.
Alexis Mireles raised her hand and said they should clean up because if the city is clean it will make others want to stay here.
Jorrdyn Dunn said litter needs to be cleared to "keep Texas safe." Others chimed in that stray trash could be harmful to animals who might chew on it and still others said it's important simply so that Midlanders don't live in a "dump."
Johnson pointed out to students that it's a privilege to live here, and because they're thankful for their surroundings students should give something back.
That's exactly the sentiment Richardson said she hopes is imparted to the growing number of students signing on to their cause. Plus, she said, when they can start teaching young citizens the importance of not littering, it's bound to have an impact on the community now and in the future.
Some of the participating schools are also classified as partners in education with Keep Midland Beautiful, which means they're able to raise money for their campuses as they clean.
"It was fun," said Monika Watson, as she proudly held her bag of trash that was slightly more full than those of her nearby peers. "It helps the environment grow better."
Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.
But once the group was shuffled in the appropriate direction, with teachers manning the end of every 20-student line, cleaning up the campus was a breeze.
"I think it's very important because I've seen so many cities that are full of trash," said Cassidy Wray, as she and a classmate scrutinized the school's parking lot for any signs of litter. "We need to keep Midland clean."
The fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students at Greathouse Elementary who cleared their campus of litter as part of Keep Midland Beautiful's 25th annual fall cleanup this week were part of a group of about 1,400 students city-wide who learned about volunteerism as they committed to making their campuses look presentable, said litter prevention coordinator Catarina Nava.
Business and church groups as well as neighbors, Adopt-a-Spot crews and others also were out over the weekend, cleaning corners of the Tall City that often were filled with debris blown in from the stern West Texas winds. Keep Midland Beautiful staff anticipated about 2,800 Midlanders participated in this year's efforts, up from about 1,100 in 2007, Nava said.
For students, the cleanup came in conjunction with other recent lessons about being a part and giving back to their community, said teacher Robyn Jackson, who organized Greathouse Elementary's "Make a Difference" day participation.
Most of the students, fourth-grade teacher Angela Johnson said, have never volunteered before and the cleanup gave them a great chance to get started.
Fourth-grader Derek Thomas said he's helped in the annual cleanups with his family in previous years and that he was excited about participating again.
Most of the 9- and 10-year-olds, though, did say they'd never volunteered before. However, several clearly grasped the importance of it and a few even named the organizations they've picked out to help in the future.
Keep Midland Beautiful holds community cleanups twice a year, its Executive Director Doreen Richardson said, and the events often are paired with education about litter prevention and recycling that is meant to make an impact year-round. Saturday's cleanup was held in conjunction with a "Green Team" lunch where information about keeping the environment clean was available.
The fourth-graders got a jump start on Saturday's picnic lesson, sharing the importance of picking up trash with one another before heading back to class Thursday, though some also took part in the weekend lunch.
Alexis Mireles raised her hand and said they should clean up because if the city is clean it will make others want to stay here.
Jorrdyn Dunn said litter needs to be cleared to "keep Texas safe." Others chimed in that stray trash could be harmful to animals who might chew on it and still others said it's important simply so that Midlanders don't live in a "dump."
Johnson pointed out to students that it's a privilege to live here, and because they're thankful for their surroundings students should give something back.
That's exactly the sentiment Richardson said she hopes is imparted to the growing number of students signing on to their cause. Plus, she said, when they can start teaching young citizens the importance of not littering, it's bound to have an impact on the community now and in the future.
Some of the participating schools are also classified as partners in education with Keep Midland Beautiful, which means they're able to raise money for their campuses as they clean.
"It was fun," said Monika Watson, as she proudly held her bag of trash that was slightly more full than those of her nearby peers. "It helps the environment grow better."
Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.
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