This spring, Castle Rock students participated in the 17th annual Clean-up Day, a community-wide event where citizens came together to beautify their town.
Projects ranged from cleaning sidewalks to planting flowers to picking up litter. While some projects were decided by the planning committee, others were specific requests by community members. Planning for the event takes many months, with this year’s committee starting to organize the event in January. There are between 100 and 200 participants every year, so the committee ensured that there are volunteers present at each site.
For many students, Clean-up Day is more than just a way to earn community service credit, which is a requirement for graduation. It’s a community experience that allows them to show pride in Castle Rock.
Jessica Aylesworth, who graduated from Castle Rock High School in June, loves to see the sense of accomplishment her fellow students take away from the event.
“You’re less likely to vandalize things that you have personally worked on,” she said. “So it causes us to respect the town more. On a normal day, you see middle schoolers picking up trash as they walk to the coffee shop.”
As part of the Blooms Team, Aylesworth spent Clean-up Day planting flowers at City Hall. Previously, she helped plant trees downtown as part of an effort to increase urban forestry and water conservation – an award-winning project that she presented to her FFA chapter. Her goal was to effectively create an ecosystem in an urban landscape, helping to combat climate change.
These trees are just one of the many projects from Clean-up Day that have made an impact. Some students showed their creativity by painting murals on buildings, gas lines, and other surfaces throughout Castle Rock.
“Everything in Castle Rock is its own form of art,” Aylesworth said proudly.
As the day concluded, the lasting impact of the students’ dedication was evident in every corner of Castle Rock. The event not only beautified Castle Rock but also strengthened the bonds students have with their community, fostering a shared sense of responsibility and pride. Through their hard work and creativity, they’re not just earning community service credit – they are leaving a legacy of care and commitment that will inspire future generations of Rockets.
