While every MSMS junior was toiling over the PSAT or taking school pictures, each senior took time out of their day to participate in various community service activities throughout Columbus on Oct. 14, a bright, sunny day to spend outside. One group took a bus to the Riverwalk. As they walked along a two-mile trail, they picked up litter and other interesting things along the way.

Another group signed up to work at the local soup kitchen; however, this event was canceled, causing more students to join the ranks of trash picking.

Co-president of SEAL (Student Environmental Awareness League) Aylin Memili enjoyed the trip and stressed that “as members of the Columbus community, it was a great opportunity to give back to Columbus and to ensure the Riverwalk has a clean, sustainable environment.” Memili enjoyed the fact that the Riverwalk event was not merely a strict clean-up service project but also “a great time for fellowship with everyone.”

Among the group was Anna Creel who enjoyed “making sure the Riverwalk was cleaner for the animals and people walking by.” Though the trek was hard work, Anna said that it was a rewarding and even funny experience. “We picked up a lot of interesting things…like a broken PVC pipe and a broom that looked like it had just been lying in the middle of the trail for many years.”

After the two-mile hike, the seniors ended the afternoon playing soccer or frisbee and hanging out. Akos Polgar concluded, “It was a nice day, everyone worked together, we got the job done and had some fun while we’re at it.”