Cardinal Mooney students help clean up neighborhood

Staff report

youngstown

As students entered Cardinal Mooney this fall to begin the school year, they were welcomed with new walkways, cement work, lighting and other renovation projects.

“Cardinal Mooney High School, thanks to the generosity of two very special alumni donors, is starting off this school year with a new energy and an updated facility,” said Principal John Young.

Inspired by this new energy and the spirit of revitalization, members of Mooney’s Service Religion Class pitched in and helped S.A.A.N.D.I. (South Avenue Area Neighborhood Development Initiative) and the South Avenue Business Association with the neighborhood cleanup earlier this month along Erie Street, East Indianola and South avenues.

Seniors Annie Boniface, Mario Ricciardi and C.J. Amill were part of the group of more than 65 students and faculty members who participated.

The tie-in to the community was a driving factor to participate.

“I find value in helping those who make our community so welcoming,” Boniface said. “We are very happy to assist our community in the revitalization process.”

Added Ricciardi, “I really enjoy being out in the community and hope to do more in the future. I can’t wait to see the results of our efforts.”

Showing loyalty to the neighborhood and those who have led the renovation efforts at Mooney is evident among the students.

“I am excited about the work being done here at school,” Amill said. “Because of all the effort, it has inspired us to give back to our neighborhood. We are a part of Youngstown, and Youngstown is a part of us.”

Cardinal Mooney’s Service Religion Class performs various acts of service throughout the community during the school year.

Susan Trewella, director of Mission, leads the class and service initiatives.

“The Catholic social teachings, the core of our social responsibility, call on us to be stewards of our environment. This is why our students perform service activities, like today’s cleanup, on a regular basis,” Trewella said.