By Connie Beck-Treadway, Field Correspondent and high school sophomore and member of the Interact Club at Chelsea High School in Chelsea, Massachusetts

Mmm, Saturday morning. This is the time for lying in pajamas and watching cartoons, or maybe for a relaxed brunch shared by best friends.

Whatever your ideal Saturday morning is, I’m confident that it doesn’t involve scooping up garbage scattered about a high school football field.

Nevertheless, that’s what a handful of very dedicated Chelsea students and I were doing at an ungodly hour, when most of the city was still sleeping.

Our Interact Club leader, Ms. Ascher, handed out gloves and trash bags. Then we were released into the garbage wilds. When I arrived, I wasn’t sure how many people would drag themselves out of bed, so I was really glad when I saw the turnout. Many were already working hard (Ani, Robert, and Jackie just to name a few).

In groups of three to five we hunted the field for litter of any type! Oh my, were we in for some surprises. Among huge piles of cigarette butts and the occasional plastic bottle, we found a bike hidden beneath a bush (no brakes), a random brick, and even some things I won’t mention on the blog….!

After two hours, Ms. Ascher kept giving us time warnings because we were supposed to divide our time between the field and the front lawn. The time warnings continued and stretched until she was satisfied that every cigarette butt had been removed.

I think the best part of the tidying might have been the support we got from passersby. Yes. We got honked at a lot. If there is one thing Chelsea can do, it’s make some noise. They honked, we cheered back (Karen was earsplitting.) I hope that if people see we’re interested in Chelsea being beautiful, they’ll take an interest too, or at least be more mindful of where their trash gets tossed.

Finally it was time for the fun. Planting, always my favorite! My friend Erica and I were dubbed ‘Head Planters’ and I was very proud (Hey, it’s hard to find gardeners in the city!)

The plants were bought with money from our ACE Action Grant (because our school participated in the DOT project.) Erica and I are planning another plant-buying excursion before the end of the academic year. So while some people continued picking up (like Bahiya, who was still lugging the random brick), another section split off and headed for the Vietnam War Memorial around the front. One problem with planting in the city: tools!

We had a single shovel with which we were supposed to plant a hydrangea, a Dianthus (so pretty), 48 irises, 24 lilies, and another plant (Unidentified as of yet.) So Erica told me where, and like a good little girl, I started shoveling. And then Chester stole the shovel (Thanks Chester!) So we were helpless. Or we would have been if my Dad hadn’t saved the day and brought four (yes, four!) shovels. And then things went smoothly.

We made friends with worms (Kelly and Bryan were our worm crew- they reburied all the ones that were disturbed) and soon all the plants were settled. The unidentified plant was droopy, but I’ve been watering before school most days since the Cleanup, and it seems to have perked up.

If I had one hope, it would be that people will notice that the school looks better, and think twice before undoing all the hard work we put in. Even if only one person notices, I’ll be glad I skipped my brunch.

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Connie is a sophomore at Chelsea High School and member of the Interact Club