In celebration of Earth Day, members of the Student Organization of Unified Leaders at Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School organized a school and community cleanup on April 22. To being the day, S.O.U.L. members gathered in small groups. Directed by their advisers Samuel Gonzales, Joseph Mannix, Jaime Suarez, Jay Williams and Deanna Rittenhouse-Zapata, the students cleaned up the area around the high school and Dixon Avenue from Great Neck Road to Sunrise Highway, as well as areas around the Copiague Middle School, including near the district office sign.
Following the morning cleanup, the students received a visit from Florence Findley, director of the Beautification Department for the Town of Babylon, and Richard Groh, chief environmental analyst for the Town of Babylon, who spoke to the students on the importance of community cleanups and how the school and community can work in partnership year-round. From there, the students participated in an Earth Day presentation developed by Mr. Williams’ environmental science classes.
To conclude the day of environmentally centered activities, a student coalition was held featuring students from S.O.U.L. as well as the Key Club, One Mind Club, Conciencia Latina, Art Club, Hip-Hop Club, Treehuggerz and War Games Club, along with their advisers Jennifer Phillips, JoAnn Erwin, Yoleidys Swerdloff, Deirdre Whiston, Yvan Garcia, James Travis and Peter Robinson, respectively. During the coalition, they held a discussion on future high school environmental awareness initiatives.
Additionally, Jean Marie Fortunato, S.O.U.L. culinary arts adviser, involved students in her special education classes, while Toni McIntosh, adviser for the Student Council and Future Teachers Club, involved her members of in an Earth Day cleanup. Mrs. McIntosh cleans up the area adjacent to the high school entrance (31st Street dead end) every year with her club members.
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