Cascade students address storm debris during annual Earth Day cleanup

LEAVENWORTH — Hundreds of Cascade High School (CHS) students left their classrooms on the morning of April 20 to take part in the school’s annual Earth Day clean up.

In previous years, students have completed a town-wide sweep to pick up garbage left behind over the winter. However, students pivoted their focus this year to helping clean up the prevailing debris from December’s windstorm.

The high school partnered with several organizations leading ongoing efforts – Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Upper Valley Historical Society (UVHS), and Wenatchee River Institute – to offer help at Ski Hill, the Blackbird Island pond and the Old North Road Cemetery.

“I think it's really cool that the high school puts in an effort to clean up the community,” said 12th grader Ava Schmidt, who volunteered at the cemetery. “I also think that the cemetery is absolutely worth a visit. There's a lot of really historic people and things here that are just important to Leavenworth.”

According to previous Echo reporting, dozens of trees toppled at the historic cemetery during December’s severe windstorm. While the majority of the plots were spared, some sustained significant damage, including two graves which were completely upended. UVHS President Emeritus Matt Cade also reported about 18 damaged trees blocking roadways and pathways through the cemetery.

“I couldn't even find where our family plot was because a tree was over it,” said CHS Career and Technical Education Director Kirk Sunitsch, who oversaw the student cleanup at the cemetery.

The historic cemetery serves as the final resting place for residents of the late 1800s to present day, including members of the West, Kelly and Hoxsey families. Sunitsch said his great grandfather, who is buried at the site, came to the upper valley in 1883. Because the cemetery is owned by those with plots, longstanding maintenance has fallen on the shoulders of family members, volunteers and UVHS.

Welcome Sauer, a descendant of three generations buried at Old North Road Cemetery, thanked the students for their help. 

“[The storm damage] was quite a tragedy for us. It's always been a really meaningful place for us,” said Sauer. “We have no idea how we're going to clean up this mess, but your guys’ participation today is really heartfelt for us.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media