Community clean up included the Bonanza public library, Big Springs Park, and yard work for elderly residents.
More than 200 Bonanza Junior-Senior High School students and staff spent Thursday giving back to their community, cleaning up Big Springs Park, organizing books at the Bonanza Public Library and helping elderly residents with yard work. They also cleaned up and beautified the grounds around their school.
A cold wind didn’t stop a group of high school students from pulling algae, moss, and watercress from the natural springs at Big Springs Park. Others painted the restrooms and horseshoe pits, weeded the rock and flower beds, and cleaned the cook shack and tennis courts.
Bonanza’s student body president Haylee Hansen joined classmates who were cleaning up around the springs.
“I think it’s good to get out of the classroom and learn life skills outside of a controlled environment,” she said.
“Having this park cleaned up for summer … it’s going to look nice.”
Bonanza’s Mayor Betty Tyree and city parks caretaker Darryl Pomi were on hand to talk with students and provide any equipment they might need.
“This is great because these kids can move and go faster,” said Tyree, who volunteers regularly to clean up the park.
Jaycie Schooler and Jean Herrera were among a group who were weeding and painting the horseshoe pits. “It’s important we give back to our community as they’re the main supporters of our school,” Herrera said, “and it shows we care, too.”
“And we want our community to look nice,” Schooler added.
Bonanza Junior-Senior High School was just one of several Klamath County School District schools to participate in the annual Give Back Day sponsored by the Blue Zones Project. Peterson Elementary School students collected used glasses and sunglasses for Sky Lakes Medical Center doctors to use to help those in need. Henley Middle School and Henley High School students also participated in community service projects on Thursday.
The county schools host their annual Give Back Day in the fall.