Photos courtesy of Aberdeen High School.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Aberdeen (Wash.) High School and Miller Junior High SkillsUSA chapters proved that leadership isn’t just learned in a classroom — it’s practiced in the community. Participating in a “Day on for Action,” students spent the holiday revitalizing Morrison Park and the Log Pavilion.
While the immediate result was a cleaner environment, including the removal of three large bags of trash and two shopping carts. The project served a deeper purpose: Honoring Dr. King’s legacy. Chapter advisor Ashley Emmett said, “We left it better than we found it!”
By organizing the event, students applied the Essential Elements of Community Engagement and Responsibility.
A Community Partnership
The effort earned high praise from city officials, who recognized the students’ professionalism and dedication to public safety.
“We really appreciate all the help we can get to make the parks a cleaner and safer place to spend time,” stated a spokesperson from Aberdeen Parks and Recreation, offering thanks to advisor Chuck Veloni and the student volunteers.
By leaving the park “better than they found it,” the students demonstrated that they are not just students, but the next generation of civic-minded professionals
