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Student Advisory Board and Keep Harlingen Beautiful plant trees at Travis Elementary

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Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District’s Student Advisory Board along with Travis Elementary Student Council members exemplified what it means to be ‪HCISD Proud as they worked in partnership with Keep Harlingen Beautiful to plant 12 oak trees at Travis Elementary.

John Castellanos, a fifth-grade student, grabbed a shovel and poured mulch as he expressed his excitement to take part in something that will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

“I’m so happy that all these people came out to plant trees,” said Castellanos. “Now all the students that come here will have a nice place to sit under during recess or get some shade while they read a book. Even the people that drive by the school will see them.”

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Superintendent Dr. Art Cavazos, campus administrators as well as KHB members spoke to the group of students about the importance of coming together for the benefit of the community.

“We are very excited to continue projects with Keep Harlingen Beautiful,” Dr. Cavazos said. “Together, we are one school district, one city and our partnerships with one another are most valuable when we work together. The students helping today are showing and modeling the importance of giving back to our community.”

“Travis Elementary is thankful for everyone who came to our campus and dedicated their time to help make the school even more beautiful than it already is,” said Principal Beulah Rangel. “Keep Harlingen Beautiful and Harlingen Student Advisory Board, thank you for allowing my students to participate in this event. What you’ve done today is a model for my students on what leadership is and what giving back really means.”

The event was particularly significant for Nick Consiglio, Executive Committee Member at KHB, as he is a former Travis student.

“I attended school at Travis Elementary in the early 1980s, so when I heard about the project, I was eager to help,” said Consiglio. “Also, this is part of our public space, and Travis is right at the heart of our city.”

An added benefit of beatification projects like this is that businesses will be more inclined to invest in Harlingen if they see a vibrant and attractive community.

“This is a huge benefit to the community as economic development is centered around beautiful communities,” he said.

Consiglio encouraged everyone to recycle as most of KHB’s funding comes from recycling center proceeds. The more Harlingen recycles, the more the group can do to beautify the city.

Keep Harlingen Beautiful is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by a group of concerned citizens. The purpose of the organization is to empower and educate the community to clean, beautify the environment, and recycle.

The Student Advisory Board consists of 15 students from the HCISD’s secondary campuses and provides an avenue for participation and involvement of student leaders in the district.

 

 

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