Arbor Day celebrated at West Salem

Students at West Salem Elementary School joined forces with city and school leaders Friday, April 26 to celebrate Arbor Day and in the process Pay It Forward.

Students from the school’s “Leadership Club” took part in a tree planting ceremony alongside Mayor Renee Turk, Councilman Hunter Holliday, Salem Horticulturist Jeff Ceaser, Virginia Forestry’s Dennis McCarthy, Assistant Principal Marcus Crowder and others. 

The students participated in an interactive question and answer session, recited a poem and listened to Mayor Turk read an Arbor Day Proclamation from the Salem City Council before rolling up their sleeves and separating root balls and planting the trees. 

Three Bur Oak trees were planted on the front lawn of the Bruffey Street school before the students returned to class. 

Organizers thanked the employees from the Beautification Division of the Salem Street and General Maintenance Department for doing the heavy lifting and digging the holes. Salem, according to the city, is proud to be a designated “Tree City U.S.A” community. 

This year, West Salem’s Leadership Club consisted of 36 student leaders and teacher mentors. The club has significantly contributed to the Roanoke and Salem communities working with the Salem-Roanoke County Food Pantry and the Roanoke Rescue Mission, according to school officials.

-The Salem Times-Register