By Sean Delaney
Every Tuesday afternoon, while many students are heading home or making plans with friends, a group of students from St. Basil’s the Great College School is doing something a little different.
They’re helping to make Emery Village a cleaner place.
Over a five-week period this spring, approximately 20 to 25 student volunteers participated in a weekly community clean-up initiative organized by St. Basil’s the Great College School. Armed with gloves, garbage bags and plenty of enthusiasm, the students spent their afternoons helping remove litter from streets, sidewalks and public spaces surrounding the school and nearby neighbourhood.
What began as an Earth Day-inspired activity quickly evolved into something much bigger.
‘We thought, why don’t we make it more than just a one-day event?’ explained Genevieve Alvarado of St. Basil’s Department of Languages and Cultural Studies, who helped organize the initiative alongside Ms. Spensieri. ‘We wanted students to see that helping the environment and helping their community is something that can happen all year long.’
The program was designed not only to improve the appearance of the neighbourhood, but also to help students develop leadership skills, community awareness and a sense of responsibility.
Drivers honked their horns in support. Residents walking their dogs stopped to offer words of encouragement. Neighbours thanked the students for their work. Most importantly, the students could see the difference they were making themselves.
According to Alvarado, the group collected several large bags of litter during the first few clean-up sessions. As the weeks went on, fewer bags were needed — a sign that their efforts were having a positive impact.
Beyond the clean-up itself, students also learned about environmental stewardship, recycling and sustainability. On days when weather conditions limited outdoor activities, discussions and educational activities continued inside the classroom.
One student explained that participating in the program helped them see how a cleaner neighbourhood benefits everyone.
‘It makes the community look better,’ the student said. ‘People can see it and think, Wow, this is a great place.’
Another student said the program helped them become much more aware of litter and the importance of protecting the environment.
‘It helps everybody. People need a clean environment.’
As I spent time with the students, what impressed me most wasn’t the garbage bags or the number of hours they volunteered. It was their attitude.
The students were upbeat, engaged, respectful and genuinely interested in making a difference. They weren’t participating for recognition. They simply wanted to help.
Credit must also be given to the school’s leadership team, including Principal Jessica, Vice-Principal Stanley, Genevieve Alvarado, Ms. Spensieri and the many staff members who encourage students to become active and caring members of their community.
Programs like this remind us that community pride begins with people who care enough to get involved.
In this case, it begins with a group of students who chose to spend their Tuesdays helping keep Emery Village clean and taking pride in the community they call home.