Students Steward God's Creation

A mile-long stretch of the beach at Mentor Headlands State Park now looks closer to the way God intended it, thanks to the hard work of 35 NDCL students and three teachers.

The group traveled to the popular beach on Tuesday to collect and document trash as part of the International Coastal Clean-up Campaign.

Science teacher Mrs. Adrienne Fox led the project, with assistance for science teacher Mr. Nathan Smith and Theology Department chairperson Mrs. Michelle Nowak.

Through prayer and reflection, the day focused students on the spiritual dimension of their clean-up activities. "Our work today is closely tied to our faith because we're working to restore God's creation," Mrs. Fox told the students before they boarded the bus for the beach.

Students collected 250 pounds of trash, including four tires, more than 1400 pieces of plastic, over 300 straws, and even a coffee maker. Between collecting and logging trash, students also tested Lake Erie’s bacterial counts, pH, and water quality