Zion Chapel 'Turf Crew' honored

Members of the Coffee County Board of Education honored the achievements of the Zion Chapel School "Turf Crew" during the Jan. 5 meeting.

The group of about 25 students has been maintaining the school's property by landscaping and picking up any debris found on campus grounds.

Zion Chapel agriscience teacher Scott Hendricks said by participating in the group, students learn leadership, responsibility and teamwork.

"We saw a need that needed to be met and we had some students who were willing to be a part of it," Hendricks said.

The group's efforts were recently featured in the December issue of the Alabama Farmers Cooperative magazine.

"I'm real proud of this group," Hendricks said. "They're real problem solvers."

Several of the students said being a part of the group has teaches them how to work with others and provides skills they will be able to use in the future.

Taking care of Zion Chapel's campus, Hendricks said, has also taught the students to take pride in their school.

Hendricks said because of the magazine, a group of students from Elmore County would be visiting the school to get a firsthand look at how the "turf crew" gets its campus looking its best.

The group has also been responsible for maintaining the landscape at the Central Office Building in Elba.

The group's work, Superintendent Dr. Don McPherson said, is also saving the school system money in landscaping costs.

In other news, board members approved a motion to put the houses owned by the school system and adjacent to Kinston School to be sold and moved.

McPherson said in the future, that area could be turned into a drop-off area for the elementary school and additional parking.

McPherson also announced Kinston High School's Fan Night on Jan. 20 where the school will be recognizing the 1981 State Championship basketball team.