Spring is in full swing in Utah and is giving some students spring fever. The Juan Diego Catholic High School campus is in the process of receiving a makeover.  Student Government members, with the help of Dave Simpson, Executive Director of Operations for the Skaggs Catholic Center, have adopted a plan to beautify the school grounds.

“The plan is to follow a design developed by students to plant and develop various areas on the property,” said Simpson.  Two Student Government members, senior Nate Tack and junior Tyler Cain came to Simpson with the original idea. “One day while looking out a window in our Student Government room we realized that our campus could really use some help in terms of flowers and trees,” Tack said.  “Tyler and I came up with the idea to pull weeds and plant flowers around the campus as a service project."

        The two students took their idea and proposed it to Simpson. “It was an overall facility-related decision,” said Simpson.  “Students were willing to take ownership into the care of the facility. I thought it was a great idea and loved the participation the students were willing to give!”

         Beginning on May 18th, Student Government members purchased a variety of plants and flowers and planted them in designated areas.   The planting will continue over the course of a few weeks.   Students are hoping to take this project and turn it into a five-year plan. “It would be really great if the upcoming classes continue on with our idea,” said Tack. “If next year’s seniors get involved, then they can continue on our hope of always taking care and keeping our school campus beautiful.”

         In addition to the recent planting by Student Government members, members of the Home and School Board are doing their part, too.  Michael Hargrove, member of the Board, along with his associates, are planting 40 trees around the campus on Wednesday, May 25th. “This is a big addition,” said Simpson. The event is called Community Team Works 2011. Trees will be planted around the new addition to the Daycare, on the elementary playground and around the recently built bus-barn on the south side of the campus.

        “My hope for the future is to come back in 10 years and see a beautiful campus that is full of greenery and flowers,” said Tack. “The whole goal of this project is to allow students to give back to their school in a way that can be physically seen. I hope students realize the importance of keeping our campus in good condition.”