Girl, 9, promotes clean-up

Serafina Jorquera does not like to see garbage strewn around High Prairie. She requested the Town of High Prairie provide $1,200 to a program where five local schools would help clean.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

The garbage she sees strewn throughout High Prairie disheartens Ser- afina Jorquera, and this has led her to discuss the matter with town council. Serafina, 9, made a presentation during the council meeting on April 9, and said she’s ready to take an active role. She wants all the children in High Prairie to be part of the solution. “The solution is to have the schools take an active role in cleaning up the streets of High Prairie,” says Serafina. “Research shows us that students who are involved in cleaning up their world are more likely to keep their world clean.” Her plan is to divide the town into sections, and have each school take one afternoon to clean their section of town. Each grade would have a street to be responsible for, and the cleanup would take place during the annual “pitch-in” campaign. In exchange, the Town would provide bags and disposable gloves to the students. She would also like the Town to provide each school with a $200 honorarium, to be given to the student union for the students. The total cost to the Town would be $1,200 (five schools times $200, plus another $200 for bags and gloves). She says the Town budget could absorb the annual cost of this project, or the money could be raised as part of the community beautification project (Communities In Bloom). An alternative would be to raise donations from businesses. Serafina also says the benefits would be lasting community cleanliness, building responsible citizens, youth taking an active role in their community, and a vision shared by all community members. The council members applauded Serafina for her presentation. They declined at this time to provide the $1,200 she’s requesting, but passed a motion to provide a letter of support to her. Members of the High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce also agreed to provide a letter of support during their monthly lunch meeting at the Pomeroy Inn on April 10. Jeff Burgar, who’s on council, explained what Serafina wants to do, and Chamber president Gord Olson proposed the letter. Burgar says, “One way or another, she will get her money. There are groups who have money for items like this. If it comes to a problem, it will be back before council. I’m sure we will support it.” Jennifer Woodcock, the chairperson of the High Prairie Beautification Society, was very surprised to learn of Serafina’s proposal. Woodcock comments she is a leader, and is so advanced for her age. “That’s pretty incredible for a nine-year-old,” says Woodcock. “I think we should all look at this. It should be taken to all the societies and associations.” Woodcock also says the Beautification Society would be more than willing to support her. She encourages her to make a presentation at the society’s next meeting on May 13.

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