Campus gets Beautified by Students

On certain days after school, PNH students participate in school beautification at North High to help make the school look nicer and to gain community service hours.  Beautification is led by Principal Dr. Jenny Marquart, and all students are welcome to participate, just as long as they show up ready to work. 

“I plan 6 or 7 dates that are two or so hours for people who need service hours.  It originally started for government students but now some who are involved in the A+ program, and NHS uses it for their service hours too,” said Marquart. 

Not only does it allow students to fulfill their community service requirements, it allows them to get their hands dirty, while cleaning and taking care of the school building.

“I think it’s good for students because it helps them understand how much time it takes for a place to look nice.  They are learning how it is everyone’s job,” said Marquart.

At the end of school on days selected by Principal Marquart, participants wait outside dressed for the weather, ready to begin.

“At school beautification, we do whatever is required.  We plant plants, spread mulch and other things too.  We help beautify the school,” said junior Savannah Cockman.

Participants do a wide range of work outside including picking up trash, arranging rocks and whatever else that can be done to make the school look nicer.

“I participate in school beautification because I want the Government hours and I like digging.  I also think it makes the school look prettier,” said junior Hadi Osman.  

Along with major help from students, Parkway North receives help from those who supply the necessary tools and plants that make school beautification possible.

“We have a combination of funds from the parent teacher organization, and we also set aside money from our building budget and the building’s facility team.  The PTO helps us buy plants, and the bigger items like rocks come from other facilities,” said Marquart.

The school beautification crew has already hit the ground running by planting plants near the back entrance of the school and have high expectations for the rest of the year.

“Our goals include seeing more plants around the school and less people littering.” said sophomore Durga Kullakanda.

This program is making Parkway North High School a more beautiful and clean environment for all of the students and faculty who spend their days there. 

by Emily Ladig