YHS Student Council makes strides on Beautification Project

It’s been a long and rewarding journey for the Yoakum High School Student Council as they make strides in beautifying Yoakum Independent School District.

Whether it’s volunteering over 100 hours, applying for numerous grants, or receiving state recognition, there isn’t any doubt that the students have been leaving a legacy to both the school district and the City of Yoakum.

“Our community support has been amazing,” Student Council member Illana Garcia said. “Everyone has been on board since we started this project.”

YHS Student Council have been making some major headways on their beautification project. So far, they have completed Phase One and Phase Two of the beautification project which is the landscaping of the front of Ol’ Main. They’ve also finished with planting the front of the school. 

“The only things we have left to finish in front of the school are the trash cans (which need to be painted), the marquee, and the historical markers,” YHS Student Council Coordinator Amy Robbins said. “After that, the next phase we will tackle in the summer and fall is the courtyard. We will have to wait for the shade to be put in and the drainage issue to be addressed this summer before we can begin. These are items that are being taken care of by the school district. Once we get those completed, we will start landscaping, adding tables and benches, and some special memorial areas.”

One of the memorial areas the council is putting up is for John Fling, a former band director at YHS.

“(Fling) is most known for how supportive he was for the band,” Robbins said. “A lot of alumni and community people have really wanted to make sure that he was recognized. We are going to get a bench that will have his name on it in the courtyard and we are also getting a memorial plaque that will be put on the band hall.”

Lately, the YHS Student Council have been window washing in the community to raise money for their project.

“The window washing has gone really good,” YHS Student Council President Abbie Galvan said. “All the businesses have been reaching out to us and we’ve washed three businesses, and we have two more. So far, we’ve cleaned Double D Ranch, East to West Market, and the Yoakum Economic Development Corporation.”

The council has made a significant amount of money in grants and donations. The most recent donation the council has received was from Yoakum National Bank in the amount of $2,100.

YHS student council also recently got state recognition from the Texas Association of Student Councils. They were one in ten high school students in Texas to get this award.

“It’s amazing because it’s the first time we’ve ever been recognized statewide for a project and it’s something our student council has been working on the past couple of years,” Galvan said.

Galvan is proud of the strides that YHS Student Council has been making.

“The work that our council members have been doing is extraordinary,” Gavan said. “We’re giving up our lunches and class periods to work on this project. I’m extremely proud of us because we’re putting in the work and showing dedication. I know this council is in good hands and that the efforts will continue on.”