By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing Coordinator
CHADRON – Nearly 100 Project Strive TRiO students have participated in an annual tradition of planting trees on the Chadron State College campus during the past 11 years. Jen Schaer, director of Project Strive TRiO, said the tradition was established when students in the program helped plant trees on C-Hill during The Big Event. They have also helped with other campus beautification projects.
Project Strive TRiO is an academic enrichment program to help students succeed including sessions about career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness.
After the first year, Schaer and her staff thought it would be a great idea to start planting trees each year.
“Lucinda Mays (former grounds supervisor) loved this idea and it just took off from there. One year, the students helped move the bushes from behind the Math Science COIL building and planted them outside of the new track area. Another year, students worked to clean up the playground area of the Child Development Center,” Schaer said.
Schaer said students have learned valuable skills.
“From separating the roots and why it needs to be done, to what type of soil we have on campus, and what is needed to help the trees grow. Students also learn how to communicate and there is a team feel to the process since they work together to make it happen,” Schaer said.
Student participant Jeremy Carley of Dalton, Nebraska, helped plant two trees in front of Crites Hall and two in front of Kent Hall.
“I enjoyed the experience because of the hard work put into each tree and the memories made,” Carley said. “Anything can make an impact in this world, the trees which we helped Lucinda plant truly mean something. The rich history that this campus has is unique and through this process, we added to that history by adding a landmark for years to come. I learned that deer love to ruin small trees without knowing it, so we have to protect them in the early stages of growth to make sure that they have a future.”
He will graduate in May and his older sister, Janessa Carley, is a graduate student. She said she has also enjoyed watching trees grow the past several years since she helped plant them.
“Even though planting trees is a simple task, it has a lifelong impact. I love the idea that I have been able to contribute to the history of CSC, and in the future when the grounds team is telling stories about the landscaping on campus I will be connected to several landmarks. I also look forward to returning to campus when the trees are fully grown and sharing related stories with my future children or grandchildren,” Janessa Carley said.