Lehighton Area Middle School students gladly set down their books for a time Friday morning so they could participate in Arbor Day festivities.

Their destination: the Community Grove at Seventh and Iron streets, where they joined forces with the Lehighton Shade Tree Commission to plant trees.Four middle school classes participated this year, with more than 250 seedlings handed out to all students, as four 2-inch diameter red oak trees were planted in the Community Grove.Some of the students helped dig holes as they and their classmates learned the proper planting techniques, as well as the importance of planting the right tree at the right location.Seventh-graders TretSolt and Ryan Graver said they enjoyed the program, even after they helped dig a hole."I think it's really good for the community, because we get to plant new trees, and help the environment," said Tret, 13.Ryan said it was a real learning experience."I think it's nice that the kids from our middle school can miss class, but we're still helping out in our community," said Ryan, 13.Joe Yescavage, seventh-grade life science teacher, said the activity "is all student-centered, student-driven.""These kids are getting out of the classroom," Yescavage said. "One hundred percent of the kids want to be a part of this."Mark Hoffman, chairman of the shade tree commission, said the event was once again a success."The shade tree commission embraces the opportunity to work with the students, knowing the importance of getting more of the community involved, understanding the importance of planting trees within our town," Hoffman said. "The hope is these students will take this memory with them and look upon these trees as they grow, knowing they had a huge part in making it happen."Steve Ziegler, representing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, gave the presentation of Tree City USA designation to the borough.Hoffman said the shade tree commission is proud of the fact that Lehighton holds the distinction of being recognized as Tree City USA for 24 years in a row."This honor is accomplished with the help of many groups and individuals, including the Public Works Department, who helps maintain the trees once they are planted," he said. "Lehighton also has an excellent leaf collection program in the fall which supports Tree City USA."Borough Mayor Tom Mase read the proclamation along with selected students.Hoffman said the shade tree commission has had this partnership with PPL Electric Utilities for over 10 years, which they are appreciative of.He said PPL EU paid for the four large red oaks that were planted by the students, along with the seedlings that were handed out.Hoffman said it's something that PPL EU has graciously done each year, as thousands of seedlings have been given out and planted over the years.He noted Boy Scout Troop 82, along with Girl Scout Troop 3583, assisted the shade tree commission Thursday night at Trinity Lutheran Church, by bagging the seedlings.Last Saturday, in recognition of Earth Day, Hoffman said shade tree commission members, along with the support of volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 82, replaced trees that did not survive last year's planting."The shade tree commission looks forward to this event every year, and is proud of the partnerships they have formed with the various other groups and organizations that support the success of the day," he said.