High school students lead spring cleanup in Southeast Kansas
RIVERTON, Kan. — A Southeast Kansas town is getting some extra T.L.C. today – thanks to hundreds of volunteers pitching in to help.
“You know, tourists come through Route 66 all the time. To be able to see this house and be like, Oh, this is like a nice neighborhood,” said Dillon Leggett, Riverton Senior.
It’s what motivates Riverton High School senior Dillon Leggett to help clean up Riverton.
“It’s the whole high school,” said Leggett.
About 200 students plus teachers and staff trimming trees, raking leaves, and pulling weeds.
The annual event helps improve both homes and businesses in the Riverton area.
“Most of the houses we have are elderly ladies and gents. And so it’s just nice to be able to give back to the community and especially, it’s a small town,” said Shannon Underwood, Riverton Teacher.
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The volunteers say the spring cleaning helps the town look its best and promotes community spirit.
“As much as high schoolers kind of seem to be like the – Oh, we don’t want to get people to … be working there. They’re actually working really hard and don’t mind working hard as if they’re in a group,” said Leggett.
There’s also outside support – sponsors pay for T-shirts and provide equipment for the cleanup.
The sweat equity all starts on campus.
“Kids like getting out. One, no school, so that makes them happy. But it’s just the idea of being able to help. Work ethic is something that it’s invaluable and it’s hard to teach. And kids really shine during this day,” said Underwood.
This is the tenth year for the Riverton Community Cleanup Project.
