Students turn out to give back to Sapulpa
Posted on 07/08/2021
Junior High Cheer team members walk the streets of Sapulpa picking up trash(SPS) -- Despite the heat and mugginess of this mid-summer day, students came out in force to give back to the Sapulpa community on Wednesday.

The inaugural Chieftain Community Service Day drew in approximately 100 students to spend the morning in Sapulpa picking up trash, pulling weeds, sweeping up debris and much more.

"I think it's so awesome to have a group of adults and students give up their time on a Wednesday morning. It's a little warm, but to go out and serve their community because they know what has been given to them," said Sapulpa Public Schools Athletics Director Michael Rose to reporters.

The day was the second of three events to help develop character and leadership skills among the students between 9th and 12th grades. The first event was the Chieftain Team Building Day in early June that focused on getting students outside their peer groups to build relationships away from their inner circle.

On this hot day in early July, students gathered at Sapulpa High School to get instructions and a pep talk from Rose before they departed in groups to Liberty Park, Heritage Park, Kelly Lane Park, downtown Sapulpa, Bennett Steel, and the district’s bus barn.

"This is our simple way of saying thank you," he told the group.

Their goal was to provide support and give back to the community that is always there for them.

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“They have helped us in so many ways. They've come out, supported our games, so we wanted to give back to the community," said senior Sapulpa Chieftains football player Sebastian Fernandez to KTUL reporter Tyler Butler.

Before long, gloves were put on, brooms were put to use, and trash bags were getting filled up all in an effort to teach students hands-on about service to others.

"It's good to feel like you're doing something for someone else, not just yourself," said sophomore and Sapulpa Chieftains Cross Country student-athlete Jasmine Brown to KOTV reporter Meredith McCown. "And saying thank you in a way that's bigger than just yourself and a team."

NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

Sapulpa students participate in first-ever Chieftain Community Service Day (KOTV News on 6)
Sapulpa students give back to community by picking up trash (KTUL Newschannel 8)
Students, coaches take part in first-ever Chieftain Community Service Day in Sapulpa (KOKI Fox 23 News)
Inaugural Chieftain Cleanup Day a great success (Sapulpa Times)