A Schuylkill County cleanup competition where high school students compete to collect the most trash was resurrected this spring.

Students from the Minersville, Nativity, Pottsville and Shenandoah Valley, along with students from Schuylkill Technology Center’s North and South campuses participated.

The teams received supplies from Schuylkill Keep It Pretty, and took photos before, during and after their cleanups. The photos were used in presentations that were judged to determine which team had the biggest impact.

After tallying the scores, the STC South Campus team was declared the Schuylkill County Cleanup Competition champion. The students cleaned an area in St. Clair near Coal Creek Shopping Plaza.

The competition was started in 2014 by the Schuylkill Technology Center Youth Summit Club and its adviser, Gary Hess II. It was put on hold for a time following the COVID-19 pandemic.

SKIP director Mandy Fitzpatrick teamed up with Hess and the STC South Campus to bring it back.

The judges for this year’s event included Fitzpatrick, Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess and Kyle Swetz, county solid waste and recycling coordinator.

The students remind all to dispose of their refuse properly to help keep the area clean for future generations.