Tucker seniors spruce up Breakwater Beach in Mattituck
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, a dozen Mattituck High School seniors left their classrooms behind and hit the beach, swapping out Chromebooks for gloves and buckets.
As part of Mattituck High School’s annual Senior Service Day, and with the assistance of members of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, teacher Al Capolongo and Kris Melvin, board president of Turtleback Conservation Center, students worked together to remove 87.7 pounds of smaller marine debris in buckets. Large items also cleaned up included a tire, a broken wooden ladder, a long rubber hose and a braced wood form weighing 100 pounds.
The total weight of marine debris removed off Breakwater Beach reached an estimated 250 pounds. The Mattituck Park District also got involved, supplying donuts and coffee to the volunteers.
“This collaborative project for Mattituck Senior Service Day was a great success,” said Ms. Melvin. “In partnering with AMSEAS and the Mattituck Parks District, we were able to engage students with an impactful conservation project in their home town. It was inspiring to see their commitment to community and stewardship in action.”
Off the beach, other Mattituck senior students participated in the event at organizations throughout the community. Some got their hands dirty at Sang Lee Farms, with Group for the East End, at CAST and the Southold Town Animal Shelter, while others served inside classrooms and at the public library.
The school posted a slideshow of all the participants and organizations on the Mattituck Junior-Senior High School website.
Building principal at Mattituck High School, Patrick Burke, coordinated — and participated in this year’s efforts.
“Senior Day of Service is more than a volunteer event, it’s a living example of our district’s mission statement in action,” Mr. Burke said. “When our students provide service and support to our community partners, they’re not just giving their time; they’re building lasting connections, strengthening partnerships, and discovering the power of giving back through service.”
