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Whether it was hauling tires, large pieces of Styrofoam and even boots, 39 East Peoria Community High School freshmen were on a mission to clean up land along the Illinois River.
Participating in the 10th annual Illinois River Sweep, these students took time away from their weekend and gathered together at Spindler Marina at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
Their destination: the 1-mile trail in Cooper Park.
“Why do people throw out the weirdest things?” asked freshman Allison Morris while stuffing her garbage bag full of odds and ends not belonging in nature.
“Well, what you see here is stuff that has been washed up from the river during floods,” answered Camron Stanley, biology and forensic science teacher at the high school.
While the high school has participated in the annual cleanup in previous years, this year’s event ran in connection with the new freshman tribes program.
As part of the freshman academy, incoming students were divided into either the earth, water, wind or fire tribe to ease the transition into the high school.
Each tribe must plan some community service event throughout the year, and the water tribe chose to participate in the annual Illinois River Sweep.
Along with the freshmen tribes, other students were encouraged to participate, too.
“We’ve always been a big proponent of clean water at East Peoria Community High School,” said Stanley. “The river is a giant part of our community, and trying to keep it clean is one of the most important things in our eyes.”
Trekking through the woods with their bags full, the students agreed.
“I love being out in nature. I like getting down and dirty,” said Courtney Dozard, 16.
“It’s a good thing for people to clean up the garbage of others,” added freshman Rebecca Burkhead. “We found a piece of Styrofoam the size of a boat.”
Karen Beverlin, freshman academy coordinator, said she was proud of the participation from the students.
In total, they collect about 45 to 50 bags in just two hours, an hour less than in previous years, she said.
“Their bags are full,” she said, adding that three times as many students participated this year. “They’re working hard.”
Students were not the only ones taking part in the annual cleanup event, which includes towns ranging from Lemont to Grafton.
Dick Cridlebaugh, 75, of East Peoria, spent the morning doing his part to help the environment.
“I’ve done this before,” he said. “I’ve lived here all my life. ... You do things because it’s the right thing to do. It’s a little thing you can do to help.”
Whether it was hauling tires, large pieces of Styrofoam and even boots, 39 East Peoria Community High School freshmen were on a mission to clean up land along the Illinois River.
Participating in the 10th annual Illinois River Sweep, these students took time away from their weekend and gathered together at Spindler Marina at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
Their destination: the 1-mile trail in Cooper Park.
“Why do people throw out the weirdest things?” asked freshman Allison Morris while stuffing her garbage bag full of odds and ends not belonging in nature.
“Well, what you see here is stuff that has been washed up from the river during floods,” answered Camron Stanley, biology and forensic science teacher at the high school.
While the high school has participated in the annual cleanup in previous years, this year’s event ran in connection with the new freshman tribes program.
As part of the freshman academy, incoming students were divided into either the earth, water, wind or fire tribe to ease the transition into the high school.
Each tribe must plan some community service event throughout the year, and the water tribe chose to participate in the annual Illinois River Sweep.
Along with the freshmen tribes, other students were encouraged to participate, too.
“We’ve always been a big proponent of clean water at East Peoria Community High School,” said Stanley. “The river is a giant part of our community, and trying to keep it clean is one of the most important things in our eyes.”
Trekking through the woods with their bags full, the students agreed.
“I love being out in nature. I like getting down and dirty,” said Courtney Dozard, 16.
“It’s a good thing for people to clean up the garbage of others,” added freshman Rebecca Burkhead. “We found a piece of Styrofoam the size of a boat.”
Karen Beverlin, freshman academy coordinator, said she was proud of the participation from the students.
In total, they collect about 45 to 50 bags in just two hours, an hour less than in previous years, she said.
“Their bags are full,” she said, adding that three times as many students participated this year. “They’re working hard.”
Students were not the only ones taking part in the annual cleanup event, which includes towns ranging from Lemont to Grafton.
Dick Cridlebaugh, 75, of East Peoria, spent the morning doing his part to help the environment.
“I’ve done this before,” he said. “I’ve lived here all my life. ... You do things because it’s the right thing to do. It’s a little thing you can do to help.”
