Beach cleanup offers STC community members unique rewards

At dawn on September 26 a group of South Texas College students, faculty and staff gathered at the Mid-Valley Campus to plan a day at South Padre Island. But this wasn’t to be just any day at the beach, lounging in the sun and getting some “R&R.” This was a selfless Saturday spent cleaning the rocky beaches at Dolphin Cove inside Isla Blanca Park as part of the Texas Adopt-A-Beach cleanup.

More than 50 students and staff came to help out, including members of a variety of campus groups including the Mid-Valley Campus Student Government Association, CADD Club, Criminal Justice Club, Biology Club, Art Dept. and Photography Club.

“We also ended up adopting three students from The University of Texas at Brownsville as part of our team,” said Danessa Liebhaber, STC Mid-Valley Campus student activities specialist. “They were glad to join our collegial group.”

As soon as the STC group arrived at Dolphin Cove, they jumped out of their cars, quickly grabbed a t-shirt, gloves and trash bags, and frantically began cleaning up the junk that was washed up and stuck between the rocks along the beach.

“Cleaning up Dolphin Cove was extra special,” said Liebhaber. “In between picking up bottles and cigarette butts was the delightful view of dolphins leaping in and out of the water only a couple hundred feet away from shore. It was as if they were reminding us of why we were there and to say thank you.”

The group had lunch after the cleanup and as an added educational treat, attended the grand opening of the new SPI World Birding Center. The center is on the bayside of the island and includes an informative museum dedicated to local wildlife and fowl. At the top of the center is a lighthouse-like tower with a viewing platform offering a nearly 360 degree view of the island, bay and gulf.

“No one likes to wake up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday, but it’s the occasional Saturday that you make the decision to be part of something big and productive, giving back to your community and reaping unique rewards,” added Liebhaber.

If you are interested in joining a STC campus club or organization, or are just curious about community volunteer opportunities, contact your campus’ student activities office.