By ADIA REYNOLDS
Tiger Media Network
The Fort Hays State University International Business Club (IBC) worked as a cohesive unit over the last two weeks to clean the gutters and streets of Hays. Members also gathered together to share their stories. Their experiences show that—while the streets were in need of service—the real boon was how the event brought them closer to their community and one another.
It’s the time of year when the sides of every street have small piles of leaves covering up the sidewalks and pavers. However, these beautiful hues of yellow and orange conceal the litter that has piled up around Hays.
“The state of Hays streets before we got to work was concerningly littered,” IBC Secretary Harper Lubbers said. “There were so many empty cans, broken glass bottles, take-out containers, etc., so it felt very rewarding to make a noticeable difference in their appearance.”
These examples only touch upon the extent of litter present, especially in the neighborhoods directly adjacent to the FHSU campus. On-campus streets and parking lots are also known for the food containers left by people and then strewn about by the autumn winds.
Macy Eberle, an IBC club member, described the experiences of the group as well as a unique anecdote.
“During the street sweeps I attended, most of what we picked up were cans and bottles left by people out that weekend,” Eberle said. “Occasionally, we would find something interesting, like clothes.”
FHSU recently instituted a new rule for clubs on campus in order to encourage an active and community-oriented mindset. Each club member must perform at least 10 hours of community service. The official student organization guidelines for FHSU states: “Student organizations help students build the skills they need to succeed outside of college, thus making sure students feel empowered to lead and manage their own organizations is critical. All student organizations will be student-centered, student-driven, and student-led.”
IBC President Jessalyn Kirchhoff is eager to demonstrate her club’s love for their community and leadership skills.
“The Hays community does so much to support the college and the best way that we can give back to them is through community service opportunities, such as the Street Sweep,” Kirchhoff said. “I have personally always had a passion for cleaning up the environment.”
And that is ultimately what the Street Sweep is all about. A thank you to the community that has welcomed students from across the globe as if they were their own, and a thank you to the planet we all live on.
“Going forward, we hope that the event will continue to grow and that we can continue to clean up more and more areas to better serve the community,” Kirchhoff said.