In an effort to clean up roadside litter, Magnolia West High School students are teaming with the nonprofit Keep Montgomery County Beautiful to encourage businesses and residents to adopt roadways.
Nine students from Magnolia West's Interact Club have joined the cause. They will be speaking at churches, schools and community organizations, such as the rotary and Lion's clubs, to encourage local residents and businesses to adopt roadways.
Two of the students from the club presented the program at the Magnolia ISD school board meeting April 8.
"Our goal is to get Precinct 2 cleaned up and well managed first, then extend the program to be county-wide," said Kaitlin Stutts, one of the students.
Montgomery County spends about $40,000 a year picking up litter in Precinct 2, said Charlie Riley, manager of precinct operations for Montgomery County Precinct 2.
"Being a part of this has made me more aware of all that goes on within a county and all the money that is spent on picking up trash," said Jakob Wells, another Magnolia West student who spoke at the board meeting.
The students also help by bringing recycling bins to local elementary schools and giving presentations tailored to elementary students about littering.
Roads can be adopted in sections that must be at least two miles long. Once a road is adopted, the person or group that adopts it gets their name on a sign posted alongside the road. They assume maintenance responsibilities and are required to pick up litter at least once every three months. Precinct 2 will provide safety vests, clean up supplies and disposal services to adopters.
"We thought it was a perfect way to get the county, Magnolia ISD and the different organizations involved in one project," Riley said. "I do believe if we've got businesses and organizations that see young people presenting the program, maybe that would give everyone the incentive to participate."
The program also builds character for the high school students, Riley said.
"This gets them in front of people, speaking," he said. "It makes them more confident in themselves," Riley said.
Taking better care of roads helps general beautification, environmental responsibility and making the area more attractive to businesses and developers, said KMCB chairwoman Charlotte Harris.
Residents or organizations interested in hearing a presentation can contact KMCB. Anyone interested in adopting a road can contact the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner's Office directly at 281-259-6492.
With reporting by Shawn Arrajj
