May 17, 2012JHS Class of 2011 Plants 56th Tree on Campus
Tree-Mendous
JHS Class of 2011 Plants 56th Tree on Campus
by Chad Gustafson
Courtesy The Post-Journal
June 3, 2011
The Jamestown High School class council of 2011 completed a project four years in the making.
"One hundred years ago, the class of 1911 planted trees in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt," Simon Liuzzo, class president, said. "And in honor of their tradition we have been planting trees over the last four years. Today our donation will complete our project and ensure that planting trees in our community will continue."
According to city arborist Daniel Stone, the class council of 2011 planted its 56th tree throughout the school's campus and surrounding community on Wednesday, and that's something of which they should be proud.
"In doing this and planting as many trees as you have, you're touching areas beyond just this brick building behind us," Stone said, pointing at the school's west end, along Institute Street, where the final tree was planted. "It's important work, and I'd just like to thank you guys."
Mayor Samuel Teresi was in attendance at the planting ceremony, along with Randall Sweeney, executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, who came both to thank Liuzzo and his team for their contributions, and to accept a $500 donation to the Community Foundation's Urban Forestry Fund.
"You guys are a really tremendous example of your graduating class at JHS," Teresi said. "It's reassuring to know you all are setting the bar high for future classes, and this I look upon as a challenge to the community from the class of 2011, because today's donation is towards an open fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation."
Teresi said that any individual or local business interested in donating to the Urban Forestry Fund is welcomed and encouraged to do so. Donations are tax-deductible and they will fund the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department's efforts to keep the city of Jamestown recognized as a Tree City USA-certified city, a certification Jamestown has been receiving now for three decades.
"Currently we have a plant-to-cut ratio of two to one, and that's important," Teresi said. "We have 13,000 trees planted throughout the city, and that's not counting anything on private property. This makes our city look better, it makes us feel better and it shows that we care about this community."
Liuzzo said that the $500 donation was raised in several ways, from a tag days event to hosting a pancake breakfast at Applebees to funds raised during this year's battle of the classes.
"The donation is coming from us," Liuzzo said. "But really it's only possible because of community support."
For more pictures, view the photo album.