Warren seniors give back through field cleanup

Warren Township High School seniors Glen Peterson and Kevin Simondsen are men of action.

The senior class gift they created does not come wrapped with a bow, but instead with the mud, sweat and hard work of a two-day volunteering bonanza.

The student leaders and fellow Eagle Scouts organized an effort to transform the thick undergrowth and woodland debris behind the Warren Township High School's O'Plaine campus into an appealing site to benefit the freshmen and sophomore classes who populate the campus and those who attend Warren sporting events.

The project foremen also are overseeing the construction of a 16-inch brick wall to be joined by several new flower beds in front of the main entrance.

"We realized an opportunity with the area just north of the football field and the front of the building," said Peterson. "We've been planning this since February."

Their efforts improve the aesthetics of the area bordering the varsity football field and surrounding track, as well as the rear and main entrances of the O'Plaine campus.

Although Warren's seniors are excused from second semester finals and given the week off, volunteers have seized the free time to make immediate and long-lasting changes.

Since yesterday and continuing through 5 p.m. Wednesday, up to 25 Class of 2009 volunteers will be raking, cutting, planting and pulling their way to a more beautiful campus.

"The class is not just writing a check," said Communications Director Carolyn Waller. "They are putting in a lot of time and physical labor in order to make this area nicer."

For Simondsen, the communal effort was well worth the months of planning and volunteer recruitment that preceded the two-day effort.

"My favorite thing has been seeing the students' enthusiasm and the amazing turnout," he said. "The area we cleaned up this morning is incredibly important."

The Des Plaines River is now visible from the rear fields and students can sit on the new brick wall as they wait for a ride or break between classes.

Warren Township contributed wood chipping equipment and personnel.