The streets of Collinsville are a little bit cleaner thanks to West Lauderdale High School Career and Technical Education students after more than 150 students took part in a cleanup effort organized by Lauderdale County Solid Waste Enforcement.
CTE Teacher Suzie Sanders, who teaches the Educator Preparation program, said the school is always looking for ways students can participate in community service. West Lauderdale previously participated in a cleanup effort several years ago, she said, and it is good to see the activity return.
“We’re just wanting them to practice a good work ethic, clean up, be proud of the school, be proud of the community,” she said. “When they all get outside working together, they’ll have a good time. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing.”
Sanders said Lauderdale County Solid Waste Enforcement and Meridian Waste, which provides residential garbage service to county residents, provided a lot of support for the school’s effort.
Daniel Mabry, Solid Waste Enforcement Officer for Lauderdale County, said students worked to clean up West Lauderdale Road from the four-way stop in Collinsville to West Lauderdale High School. The cleanup, however, goes beyond picking up litter, and it also helps raise awareness about littering and shows students the impact litter has on the community.
“What you can instill in us today, it’ll come back to us tomorrow,” he said.
Cole Crozier, Meridian Waste District Manager for Mississippi and West Alabama, said the company was proud to sponsor the cleanup. When Mabry reached out about the event, he said it was something Meridian Waste wanted to support.
“We thought this would be a great idea to get out and get with the community, show them what we do and how we do certain things, and we just thought it’d be a great thing to give back to the community,” he said.
Meridian Waste emphasizes giving back, Crozier said, and working with students is an opportunity to not only show how to properly dispose of trash but also to prevent more litter in the future.
“We’re just grateful for the partnership with the community and the leadership of Lauderdale County and the School and Mrs. Sanders. We appreciate it and look forward to remaining a great part of the community,” he said.
Mabry said everyone who participated in Wednesday’s cleanup will also be treated to lunch on Thursday by Meridian Waste in recognition of their efforts.
“Meridian Waste is going to feed them lunch and just reward them for the good work that they’re doing out here today,” he said.
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