A groundbreaking ceremony for the Thomas Hunter Middle School Natural Reclamation Area was held on June 12 at the school. The area is part of Phase I of a planned nature trail.

Students Caleb Carson, Olen Bass, Emily Wilhelm, Lauren Ryan, Maddie Hobart, Michael Bligiotis, and Katherine Respess worked to create the area under the guidance of seventh grade Life Science teacher Jerry Ligon, who designed the project. It is funded by a grant from The White Trust, with some materials donated by W.T. Fary Bros. Lumber.

SCA president Michael Bligiotis, a rising ninth grader, was master of ceremonies for the event. Emma Johnson and Lauren Mitchem sang the National Anthem a cappella, followed by Katherine Respess and Noah Hendrix performing a flute duet of "My Country, ’Tis of Thee." Addison Boyer, the school’s rising Junior Beta Club president, delivered an essay-winning speech, with Ligon offering closing remarks.

Over the summer, Caleb Selph, a Boy Scout working ...