Seventh graders plant 100 trees

By Taylor Hunt on October 5, 2018

Seventh graders at Peet and Holmes planted 100 trees on Sept. 27 for their science classes.

Seventh graders from Peet Junior High and Holmes Junior Highs lined Long Tree Road in bright neon shirts on Thursday, Sept. 27 as they worked hard to plant a total of 100 trees.

The seventh grade students worked alongside their parents, grandparents and other volunteers to put the trees into previously dug holes, mulch around the trees and stake and cage the trees to help support and protect the trees from animals such as deer.

According to Renae Beneke, a science teacher from Peet Junior High, having trees will benefit everybody. The new trees will increase habitat for birds and other creatures. It will help people in the community by reducing the cost for street repairs because the street will be shaded, reducing contraction and expansion of the road, which causes cracking and potholes.

The project was organized by Jim Newcomb, North Cedar Natural Resource Project chairman and member of Trees Forever and Sue Green, a newly retired teacher from Holmes Junior High.

Newcomb was in charge of funding and organizing the project, and Green was able to reach out and get the schools involved because of her connections with the science teachers.

One of the 400 students that participated, Rebecca Nicholson, said, “We were trying to stop some of the flooding that happens there almost every year. By planting trees, we hope that 10 percent of the flood water is [absorbed] by the trees’ roots.”

Along with helping the environment, the students gained something important as well.

Beneke said, “It was amazing to see [the students] working together to accomplish a goal. I am … excited to think that when the students come back in 20 years, they will be able to drive by and see that tree and say, ‘I planted that tree.’ It was a wonderful way to be [a] part of [the] community.”