Students, volunteers, city officials cleanup, educate on Martin Luther King Day
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
Coatesville City Council Vice President Marie Lawson paints at City Gate.
COATESVILLE – From painting at the library to cleaning up Ash Park to delivering speeches that examined how we can better shape our ideals, groups from around the city and school district came together on Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King and improve their community.
The Coatesville Police Department, Coatesville Public Library, and Coatesville Youth Initiative cooperated to organize cleanup efforts throughout town on Monday morning. Police officers, CASD students, boy scouts, and city officials cleaned up and painted at Ash park, painted at City Gate, and painted at the library.
“We wanted to provide service to help make Coatesville a better place that it already is,” said city Police Sgt. Rodger Ollis.
At Coatesville Area Senior High, the school district hosted a number of events. Education sessions covered adolescent drug use, childhood obesity, and teen relationship violence while kids participated in yoga and Zumba.
East Fallowfield Principal Wayne Wallce recognizes students for their service to the school.
Chester County Futures honored figures who have improved the community in the spirit of Dr. King. CASD Superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner was recognized for her efforts in moving the school district forward. Chester County Futures members said that Chester County Court Administrator Kim Bainbridge improves the community by helping people to recognize their wrongdoings and help to make them right. Students said that CASH math teacher Maria Russo teaches not just math but life, bringing joy and commitment to her profession. Finally, Rita Tingle-Lewis was referred to as “the best chorus director anyone could ask for,” for her dedication to teaching and helping students as individuals.
Not just limited to teachers, principals from around the district recognized outstanding students. In addition to academic achievements, provide various acts of goodwill to their schools including buying supplies from the school store to share with others, overcoming adversity in playing musical instruments, and always being honest with their teachers.
As much as it was about recognizing what has been achieved, Monday was also about how the community can improve moving forward. Elementary, middle, and high school students spoke on what they see wrong in the world and how people can go about fixing those problems. War, crime, violence, animal abuse, and hunger were among the recurring topics in students’ speeches.
Nama, a junior at CASH, said that public education could be the means to solve the world’s ills.
She said that students should learn about local and national politics.
“The goal of education should be to prepare students to live in a global and diverse society,” said Nama. “Education is not just academic; education requires social enrichment as well.”
