MC hosts Kin Takahashi Weekend
Over 40 people participated in the Kin Takahashi Weekend that took place on April 22, which also happened to be Earth Day. The Environmental Action Team and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance hosted the event, which lasted from 9:30 a.m. until 1p.m.
The annual KT Weekend has been celebrated since 2013, and its main purpose is to make a positive environmental impact on the campus, particularly the College Woods. The event is named after Kin Takahashi because of the legacy he left on campus.
Amy Gilliland, the Director of Community Engagement at Maryville College commented that like Kin Takahashi, the students in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and the Environmental Action Team want to help make our campus a better place.
“Activities like those completed today help us manage our woods,” said Gilliland. “Since 2015, KT Weekend projects have focused on the MC Woods.”
During the event, participants consisting of staff, faculty, students and one alumus were divided into five groups. Each group had its own supervisor and different tasks to accomplish.
The group led by Center for Campus Ministry Program Coordinator Zane Dukes repaired a bridge and widened a trail. Junior Hannah Kirby’s group participated in the re-routing of a trail.
Another group supervised by Physical Plant Director Andy McCall were responsible for power washing and rust removal of the cemetery fence. The fourth and fifth groups led by junior Liz Menendez and Dr.Drew Crain, Maryville College professor of Biology accomplished such activities as orchard maintenance, chipping and mulching.
“As a freshman, I volunteered in the KT weekend for the first time,” freshman Miracle Walls said. “I was in the team with Andy McCall and I got to use a power washer for the first time. It was awesome experience, and we got special T-Shirts for volunteering. I will definitely participate in this event next year too.”
Senior Julia Birch, too, said she was thankful for Kirby’s willingness to invite fellow students to the event and for her hard work.
“I am very thankful to Hannah for inviting us to join the event and even though, it was raining a little bit it was fun,” Birch said.
“The number of participants were a little down from last year, but we hope numbers will be back up again next year,” Gilliland said. “I would like to highlight an excellent job that was done by Hannah Kirby with planning and coordinating the event. We are planning on doing this event again next year on the Saturday closest to Earth Day: Saturday, April 21, 2018.”
Senior Bobbieann Eckhert said that she does wish more students had signed up but hopes for a larger turnout next year.
After the work was done, all participants were invited to the lunch and afternoon celebration at McArthur Pavilion at 1pm. It should be noted that Food Recovery Network recovered the remaining food from the lunch.
Overall, the event was a success and it contributed to the campus to look even more beautiful and cleaner.
