It may have been a cool, foggy morning, but for student volunteers from the National Honor Society at Central Regional High School, the focus was on summer.
The students, teachers – as well as Mayor Anthony Vaz – grabbed gloves, bags and trash cans to remove debris at Grant Avenue near Casino Pier. The haul: plenty of driftwood, some trash left over from the winter and even a fire hose that somehow managed to find itself under the boardwalk.
The students from Central try to come every year to pitch in. This year, they were treated to lunch at Spicy Cantina after finishing up, a gift from the restaurant. This year’s beach cleanup was organized by Central Regional Senior Chloe Argueta, a Seaside Heights resident who is a member of the National Honor Society.
“This is my hometown, and it’s where my family has made their living forever,” Argueta said. “This town means a lot to me, and the beach is my home, so it’s important to give back.”
Ashley Mazzuca, a Central Regional teacher and co-advisor the National Honor Society, said projects such as the beach cleanup are part of the society’s dedication to leadership and community.
“We like to come and help out in Seaside Heights,” said Mazzuca. “It’s part of our community, so we like to help out where our students come from.”