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 Staff photo/Katie Yantis: A truck dumps dirt along the Miami and Erie Canal towpath where it crosses Ohio 66. The project will make it easier for those using the towpath to cross Ohio 66.
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Hiker, bikers and walkers in the region will notice a
difference in a few sections of the Miami and Erie Canal towpath trail
starting this week.
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Students Pay It Forward |
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Thursday, 07 May 2009 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — As residents drove around the community or even stood out their front doors on Wednesday morning, a common sight was groups of Memorial High School students working around St. Marys as part of Pay It Forward Day.
 Staff photo/Angela Weaver: Amber Owsley, a senior, paints with residents at Golden LivingCenter Valley during Pay It Forward Day Wednesday.
The event, which was originally scheduled for April 30 and was re-scheduled because of rain, began at 8:30 a.m. as some students boarded school buses and as others walked to their designated site.
“I am so excited and relieved,” St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce President Kimberli Rompilla said as the students left the building and before she stopped at a few of the sites. “I think this is going to be a great day.”
Rompilla noted that the morning sunshine was also a positive aspect of the day, as well as the students.
“Just talking to some of the kids — they’re excited about going out,” she said. “The feeling about the kids being positive about the day is just exhilarating.”
Superintendent Mary Riepenhoff said that the groups were equipped with medical kits and emergency forms in the case of an emergency. There were 33 event sites, with multiple groups at some of the locations.
“I want to thank Kiwanis, the Chamber, Arts Place, Optimists, ODNR and Rotary,” Riepenhoff said, adding that the lime green MHS imprinted vests helped the students stand out.
Riepenhoff said that the seniors had first choice of their projects and the event mixed students from all classes, which was beneficial.
“They get to meet new classmates,” Riepenhoff said.
The students in Kim Strickland and Karen Newlove’s groups visited Golden LivingCenter Valley — cleaning, fixing snacks and painting murals.
“I’ve already said if we don’t get done, I’m coming back here,” senior Kaycie Nelson said of the murals in the Alzheimer’s wing, adding that she talked to an administrator about returning to the center to finish the artwork. “They deserve to have it done, and they’re doing renovations so it’s a good time for it.”
Seniors Tasha Makley and Jessica Grice in Andy Klosterman’s group helped pull weeds in Memorial Park during the event.
“It’s hard, but it’s self satisfying,” Grice said of her experience.
Makley said she was enjoying the work.
“It’s fun and it shows us leadership,” she said.
The students with resident Kris Olsen were in one of the groups that headed to K.C. Geiger Park, cleaning shelter houses, playgrounds and ball diamonds.
“I read about it in the paper and decided to come out here and show my support for the community,” Olsen said.
Sophomore Freddie Hardin picked up debris and raked a ball diamond at Kuck’s Cove Park in Paul Sadler’s group.
“I like getting out of class,” he said.
Senior Ashley Bubp and junior Rachel Dues were in Amy Schulte’s group, and they stopped by residents’ homes at Otterbein-St. Marys to help with various tasks.
“I like it,” Bubp said. “I think community service should be required for graduation.”
Dues said she also enjoyed the event.
“I’m glad we’re doing it,” she said. “We need it — especially our school.”
Dues said her favorite part of the event was talking to the Otterbein residents.
“The work is added on, but the people — they’re interesting and fun,” she said. “It’s very worthwhile to come and talk to them.”
Ashley King, a senior, was one of the students who worked at Grand Lake St. Marys cleaning up debris.
“It beats being in school,” King said, adding that the group started their trek at Shelter House No. 3 and were ending at the park office.
In addition to picking up garbage, the students in King’s group also cleaned tables.
Senior Kory Frederick was part of another group helping at the lake.
“It’s fun,” Frederick said as he helped with mulching. “It’s a way to give back.”
Tyler Frilling had the job with the group to wheelbarrow mulch from the piles to the landscaping sites.
“It’s great with two thumbs up,” he said of his experience.
Approximately 60 students, including those in jazz band and Glitter ‘n’ Gold, stopped by Otterbein-St. Marys and the Auglaize County Council on Aging, while some students picked up litter along the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath, Celina Road and in various parks around the city.
Some students helped build a closet for school uniforms at Holy Rosary School, while others volunteered at the historical society and others helped organize the food pantry at Agape Ministries.
“After being at maybe 10 different places, the kids seemed to have a positive attitude,” Riepenhoff said toward the end of the event. “Most of them expressed to me they had fun. I’m in awe of the way the kids are responding to the people they’re working with.”
Overall, she said she was happy with the event and it could return next year.
“I’m thrilled,” Riepenhoff said. “I’m thrilled with the organizers and with the way the kids have responded. We’ll evaluate it and make our decisions for the next year.”
Approximately 700 of the students, from freshmen to seniors, took part in the event, and there were 11 students who chose to partake in the study hall period.
After they returned to Memorial High School, the students held a cookout, sponsored by the student council and catered by 2Willy’s BBQ and Catering before hearing motivational speaker Gary Broadbent with Broadboom Boomerangs.
“I thought it went very well,” Assistant Principal Dave Lewis said, adding that he had been driving around visiting different sites with another teacher during the event.
“Mrs. Tenyak (attendance secretary) said attendance was better today than on a normal day. We had approximately 30 kids absent and we have 40 to 50 on a normal day. The kids seemed to enjoy everything and they worked hard, were responsive and dedicated and did a great job.” |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 19 May 2009 )
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