Equipped with gloves, trash bags, and claw grabbers, approximately 60 members of the RHS Green Club and Science National Honor Society (SNHS) gathered in Morristown for the annual Fall Cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 19. The student volunteers picked up litter to help beautify the town’s parks and neighborhoods while promoting environmental stewardship.
“This is our second year participating in the Morristown Fall Cleanup,” said senior Noelle Thompson, co-president of Green Club. “Members had fun making a difference in their community while spending time with friends.”
The cleanup effort focused on some of the most popular outdoor public spaces in Morristown, including the Green and Cauldwell Playground, as well as nearby neighborhoods. Volunteers worked together to remove trash, debris and other harmful items that pose risks to both wildlife and soil health.
“The Morristown Cleanup was a great way to welcome our newest members into SNHS and connect with other organizations around the county,” said senior Livia Fontes, the SNHS treasurer. “Many of us were given the opportunity to meet the Morristown mayor and even take a picture with other high school clubs. This cleanup is an excellent example of connecting community service with science-related topics.”
Science Teacher Andrew Palmer, a former member of the Morristown Environmental Council, introduced RHS students to the Fall Cleanup event. As Palmer explained, Green Club’s involvement in this cleanup aligns with the club’s commitment to environmental advocacy and action.
“Students in Green Club and SNHS didn’t volunteer solely for service hours,” he noted. “Nature and the environment are crucial aspects of our daily lives, affecting our quality of life. While there are many ways to earn service hours, participating in an outdoor event like these nurtures one’s own soul while giving back to the community.”
With about 60 volunteers in attendance, this year’s collaboration with SNHS nearly doubled the participation from the previous year. Members of both organizations saw the event as an opportunity to support the community and gain hands-on experience in environmental preservation.
“By picking up litter, we remove items that could be dangerous for wildlife or pollute the soil,” Thompson said. “We’re also helping beautify our parks and other outdoor spaces to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors.”
As volunteers filled bags with litter and tied them off for pickup, the event underscored the power of community service and environmental awareness. Reflecting on the success of the day, Green Club and SNHS members expressed enthusiasm about continuing their efforts in Morristown’s upcoming Spring Cleanup in May.
