Seniors organize cleanup project

The project is part of the community service activity required by a class.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Annlyn Perrotta and Steven Whetzel are looking for people willing to make a difference.
The New Castle High School seniors, as part of a class project, are organizing a citywide street cleanup for Saturday.
The two chose the date because it also has been set aside as this year's national Make A Difference Day. "We thought it would be good to pull together and do something for the city," Perrotta said.
"Make A Difference Day is already a day for community works, so we thought we could work our community activity into that."
Perrotta attended a recent city council work session to solicit support for the effort.
Council agreed to adopt a proclamation recognizing the project, and Mayor Wayne Alexander said he plans to present the proclamation to Perrotta and Whetzel at New Castle High School's annual recognition day in May.
Funded through state grant
Each semester, students in Francine Joseph's service learning class must organize and complete a community service activity. The class has been made available to students in grades 10 through 12 because of a Learn and Serve Grant through the state education department.
The grant provides funding for six consecutive years, but the school district must apply for the funding annually.
This year, $24,000 has been allocated for the curriculum.
The first year the district received $9,000, followed by $18,000 last year. The school district is eligible to receive an additional $24,000 next year, $18,000 the fifth year, and $9,000 the final, or sixth year.
A portion of the funds is used to pay a salary for Matt Kostelnik, a Slippery Rock University graduate student who helps oversee the program.
Joseph said last year she had one class with 12 students enrolled. This year, there are two classes each with 40 students.
"The curriculum calls for students to learn while they are doing community services," Joseph said.
She said they are encouraged to apply their academic skills to their projects. For example, they may use their English skills to write proposals and math skills to do measurements and budgeting.
Making arrangements
Perrotta and Whetzel have contacted the city's public works department to secure supplies such as trash bags and rakes for the cleanup. They have also asked business owners to help by cleaning the streets in front of their establishments.
"We plan to have groups of people working together to clean up certain parts of town," Perrotta said.
"The more help we have, the better. We will accept any and all volunteers."
She asked council officials and employees to help by working that day in the vicinity of the city building.
"It is Make A Difference Day, so we're hoping to make a difference," she said.
Make A Difference Day is observed the fourth Saturday of every October.
Those interested in volunteering alongside Perrotta and Whetzel on Saturday can contact them through Joseph by calling (724) 656-4700, Ext. 1111. Volunteers will be working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.