Hampton Academy students collect 25 pounds of trash in beach cleanup

HAMPTON — Hampton Academy students recently collected 25 pounds of trash during a beach cleanup at Jenness State Beach in Rye, organized by the Surfrider Foundation.

On Friday, Oct. 25, 24 Hampton Academy students, including students from the Experiential Learning Program, the Inspire Program, and several students from Grades 6 and 8, attended the beach cleanup with their teachers.

In about two hours, students picked up approximately 25 pounds of trash, including metal, wood used for construction/treated wood, rope, 19 plastic bottle caps, three plastic straws, 15 single-use plastic bag pieces, a large 2-foot by 2-foot piece of boat Fiberglas, a glass trophy, and lots of plastic pieces.

They also found many pieces of pumpkin, which are estimated to be at least four pumpkins.

The students learned an important lesson about plastic pollution and marine debris by becoming defenders of the seacoast and acting as a voice of protection for the ocean, waves, and beaches.

The beach cleanup was organized by special education teacher Bonnie Heath and paraeducator Chris Grippo, chair of the Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter. The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the world’s oceans and beaches.

“Several years back, Chris and I were talking about the Surfrider Foundation and thought, 'What a great way to teach students that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the oceans and beaches clean and show them that what they do on land has a great effect on our waterways,'" Heath said. "Five years later, and more than five cleanups later, we believe we are making a change among the middle school population. The students cannot wait to take part in beach cleanup activities."

“This cleanup could not have been more of a success, and that is thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of our students and staff, who proved that a few hours of work can make a big impact,” said Grippo