Cleaning up our neighborhood

 Over the weekend, I teamed up with my friend to clean up trash around our neighborhood. We brought gloves, trash bags, and started walking down nearby streets and sidewalks, collecting litter that had built up over time. It felt good to be outdoors doing something positive for the environment, and the sunny weather made the task more enjoyable. We ended up picking up all kinds of waste—plastic wrappers, cans, and even some broken glass.

I took a photo of the roadside after we finished, but unfortunately, I forgot to take a “before” picture. The area was actually quite messy when we started, with litter scattered along the curb and in the grass. Even though the photo only shows the clean result, knowing how it looked earlier made the transformation especially rewarding. Seeing how much of a difference a little effort made reminded me of the power of small actions.

This activity allowed me to engage with several CAS learning outcomes. I demonstrated commitment to service by taking initiative and dedicating time to help improve our local environment. Working with my friend encouraged collaboration and teamwork, as we divided up areas to clean and motivated each other to keep going. The experience also strengthened my perseverance, especially when we encountered particularly dirty spots. Most importantly, it made me more aware of my role in the community and how meaningful change can start with simple, hands-on action.