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By Michael Nicolosi
AUGUSTA — The 11th of October was highlighted by an annual event, one which Cony High School has held for many years, The Day of Caring.
It opened on a chilly morning. Advisee groups met at Cony and were bused to their worksites. As with each annual event, there were a variety of jobs to complete. Throughout the local community, students wore bright red T-shirts which announced their presence, and performed services for the city of Augusta.
Cony teacher Chad Foye had a wonderful time working at the Bicentennial Park with his advisees. He reflected, “It was a good day. The kids worked hard.”
Fellow social studies teacher Jennifer Tripp was there as well, with a delighted attitude, “The kids worked really hard. I think it was a positive experience for them.”
Vice Principal Stewart Brittner, who was the coordinator for the Day of Caring, was also positive in his feedback, “I think it was a great opportunity for students to give back to their communities.”
He continued to elaborate on the day. “Younger groups (such as the freshmen) go to the Bicentennial Park. After their first year, they are then assigned to a different location, ranging from the Cony Boat Launch to local elementary schools where Cony students read to the student body.”
For example, English teacher Sheila Farkas’s are now seniors. During this year’s Day of Caring, her homeroom helped children who attend Gilbert Elementary School. She was joyous throughout the day. “It was absolutely wonderful! It was nice to see my homeroom kids interact with others.”
The same events which happened at Gilbert were also held at the other local elementary schools. Senior advisor Gretchen Livingston’s advisees went to Lincoln Elementary School.
Nate Quinn, a senior, read books aloud to kids at Lincoln, saying, “I felt good about helping others.”
Senior Nate Foye enjoyed “playing kickball with the kids.”
Isiah Anderson, who was at Hussey, was also upbeat about the day, “I felt like we made good memories for the children.”
American history teacher Shawn Totman had an excellent time, as he worked at the softball fields and cross country trails. He was ecstatic. “It was awesome! It was a fun day and we got a lot of work done!”
Advisor Stephen Scoville’s students helped on the trails as well. “We originally were supposed to paint the shed but everything was wet, so we helped out on the trails,” said junior Mackenzie Stephenson.
The scope of this year’s Day of Caring even went beyond the boundaries of the immediate areas surrounding Cony. German teacher Frau Backman and her group went to the Boys and Girls Club at the old Buker School. “The kids did a great job helping out!” she announced. “They cleaned, painted, and performed general upkeep.”
After the students finished their jobs, the end of the day was marked with a delicious lunch served at Cony’s football field. The smell of grilled food filled the air.
So did the scent of caring.
Top photo: Ms. Davis’s sophomore homeroom drags brush and helps clean out the old Augusta Boat Launch. (Photo by Tom Wells). Bottom photo: Cony students take a photo break while cleaning the airport cemetery. (Submitted photo).
