GLENVILLE – They formed a human chain and made a sweep of Glenville’s Main Street, picking up garbage and debris.

Friday, May 04, 2001

GLENVILLE – They formed a human chain and made a sweep of Glenville’s Main Street, picking up garbage and debris. The students, more than 180 strong, cut a swath through the town nearly as wide as the one left behind by the tornado that hit Glenville Tuesday night.

Glenville-Emmons High School sophomore Alex Studier said his classmates were fired up to contribute to the recovery effort.

"I don’t think we would have been paying much attention to our classes anyway," Studier said. "Helping out the town is a lot better."

The day began with a 9 a.m. assembly during which volunteer coordinator Stephanie Smith outlined the strategy for the day. Hampered by steady rain and lightning in the area, the students were delayed for two hours after the morning assembly. But a relatively dry afternoon helped the students make good progress cleaning the town’s north side.

Armed with rakes, garbage bags and gloves, the students gathered and sorted debris as they combed the yards and streets. As chainsaws buzzed and trucks roared all around, small piles of sticks, garbage, metal and roofing material built up on the boulevard.

"We gave them pretty good instructions about how to sort, and where to put everything," Smith said. "They’re doing a great job, especially given this cold, wet weather."

The students wore white T-shirts with "Disaster Relief 2001" logos. The shirts weren’t white for long as students cleaned streets and yards.

"It’s a dirty shirt contest, and the winners will get prizes," Smith said.

Senior Jill Nelson managed to find enough mud to write her last name on the back of her T-shirt in dirt. She said the student cleanup effort, which continues Friday, is bringing the town and her classmates closer together.

"I think people are feeling pretty good – the whole town. They like our help, and it’s definitely better than sitting in class today," she said.

For senior Jackie Knaack, the cleanup had a more personal meaning. Her house along Main Street lost half its roof to the tornado. The other half caved in. For now, her family is staying in Albert Lea with relatives, she said.

"I can’t believe the whole thing – the tornado and everything. It helps a lot to have my friends with me and to have something to do," Knaack said.

Several high school teachers accompanied the students as they combed the streets. Isabel Sehe, a Spanish teacher, believes two days helping Glenville recover is time well spent.

"I think volunteering is a valuable learning experience for the students," she said. "Call it service learning. This is where we should be."