Have you ever been driving down the highway and think to yourself, "Man, this highway is really dirty. I really wish someone would clean this highway up!" Well, now you won't have to! The National Honor Society (NHS) is in the process of adopting a highway. The highway NHS is adopting is East bound 36 Highway from 69 Highway to two miles East.

Adopt-a-Highway Foundation is headed by Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).  MoDOT's Adopt-a-highway has been picking up trash since 1987. 

 

NHS Sponsor Mrs. Glory Fagan is excited for the project. "I'm really looking forward to the project because it gives the kids a great experience and I think it gives the kids a better understanding of their environment," she explained. Mrs. Fagan added, "One of the requirements for NHS is service projects, so we can do this as a service project."

 

Mrs. Fagan said this whole idea was thought up by their very own NHS president Huston Jack. Senior NHS President Huston Jack said, "The whole idea popped up in my head because one day I was going to Hamilton on 36 Highway and I noticed some of the Adopt-a-Highway signs had other school's NHS organization printed on them so I thought to myself and said 'That's a good idea,' so I talked to Mrs Fagan and she was all for it."

Huston has been in NHS since he was a sophomore and when he became president he really wanted do well. Huston said, "I'm confident that this will be a huge success." Huston adds, with a laugh, "I mean what's better then walking two miles and picking up trash the whole time?!"

 

Senior NHS Vice-President Brittany Shaul said one day Huston came up to her and asked what she thought about the idea. "When he came to me and told me about it I immediately thought he had a really good idea and I thought he was on to something, so I helped him out with the technical stuff before Huston approached Mrs. Fagan," said Brittany.

Brittany explained how the Adopt-a-Highway works. "Well, first NHS kids have to volunteer, then we go out there and we pick up trash. After that we tie up the bags and leave them for MoDOT to pick up." Brittany said she's really excited for this and it will be really fun.