On Saturday, Apr. 25, Miramonte students, staff, and alumni all gathered in the rain to work on outdoor projects around campus. Campus Beautification day is a yearly tradition where students come together to pick up litter, plant gardens, and beautify Miramonte’s outdoor spaces.
Sports teams, volunteer clubs, and leadership all sent volunteers to work on the grounds. From spreading mulch, clearing gravel, picking up trash, unclogging drains and planting a new meditation garden, the volunteers worked from 9 am to 1 pm.
Participants earned volunteer hours for their time, as well as magis for Latin students, which is a summative part of their grade for outside volunteering/contributions to Latin and Miramonte. “It was my mandatory event for leadership and it got me magis, but I also wanted to do it since I did it last year and enjoyed it,” sophomore Lucy Daoust, latin and leadership representative, said. The community spirit and desire to improve Miramonte’s campus was clear among the volunteers.
“I love this school, so I would love to make it a better place. I went last year and the year before… it’s built upon itself and each year it looks better and better,” junior David Ronan said.
Many students came together to help clean up all around the school such as up on the football field, J-lot, and tennis lot. Some volunteers used trash grabbers, while others used gloves and picked them up by hand. The gardening projects involved cleaning up mulch and overall making places more appealing for students to hang out in between classes, during passing periods, and during lunch.
In Miramonte’s Meditation Garden, old furniture was cleared, gravel was covered in mulch, and drought resistant plants native to California were planted. Organizers said they wanted to create a more peaceful environment for students.
“It’s rewarding to see something be an eyesore for a long time, and come back to school and say’ I was responsible for that change, I did that,” Kristen Leibowitz, the Vice President of Services for the Parent’s Club Board, said.
Leibowitz, along with the Director of Special Projects for the Parent Board and fellow organizer, Claudia Sherman, started their work with the flagpole area. Then they moved on to cleaning the wellness center courtyard, leveling the ground next to the gym, refurbishing the veggie garden, and other projects, all funded by parent donors. But Campus Beautification Day is only one part of a larger initiative: ONE Miramonte funds projects around the school, from a new vegetable garden to plans to refurbish the tennis courts. They are supported by student volunteers, school board committees, and the Campus Beautification Club.
Volunteers went with their friends and family to Campus Beautification Day, such as sophomore Riyana Habarakada. “I think this helps the community and this school because everyone’s working together to make our school a better place to be in and have our educational experience become better.” Habarakada said.
This event was very important to many, and led to a great turnout Sophomore Shayna Kraft stated. “This helps make the campus look more inviting and a better place.” Kraft said.
The Parent’s Club’s next project is to refurbish the tennis courts over the summer. Sherman said there would likely be opportunities for student volunteers to pitch in. Volunteers will level out the courts, put in paths, plant trees and drought resistant plants, and install a new seating area.
