Bronx High School of Science Students Lead Jerome Park Cleanup with Projekt NYC

Bronx High School of Science Students Lead Jerome Park Cleanup with Projekt NYC - Greek News USA

BRONX, NY — [Photos: Projekt NYC]

On Friday, April 24, ten students from The Bronx High School of Science traded textbooks for trash bags as they joined Projekt NYC for an after-school cleanup of Jerome Park. The event was organized by Becky Lin, a Bronx Science student and team leader on Projekt NYC’s Teen Advisory Council, demonstrating the kind of youth-led civic engagement that defines the Queens-based nonprofit’s mission.

Armed with gloves and cleanup supplies provided by Projekt NYC, the students spent more than an hour collecting litter, clearing debris, and restoring the park that sits in the heart of their school community. The group met at the school flagpole at 3:00 PM before walking together to Jerome Park, returning to school for dismissal after the cleanup.

The participating students were [as shown, L – R, in the photo above]: Isabelle Davila, Sriza Sarker, Keya Sikder, Diya Sikder, Calix Adom, Elise Lei, Becky Lin, Soleidy Marte, Jacob Cheng, and Jaime Hwang.

“This is what youth leadership looks like in action”, said Ted Psahos, Executive Director of Projekt NYC. “Becky didn’t wait for someone to tell her to organize this. She saw a need in her community, rallied her classmates, and made it happen. That’s the kind of initiative and character we see every day in our students, young people who don’t just talk about making a difference, they show up with gloves on and get to work”.

The Jerome Park cleanup is part of Projekt NYC’s broader community engagement programming, which empowers students to take active roles in strengthening the neighborhoods where they live, learn, and grow. The nonprofit serves over 2,500 youth annually across New York City through programs spanning creative expression, financial literacy, youth leadership, and civic engagement.

Projekt NYC’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) trains young leaders from across the city to develop and lead community projects, building real-world skills in project management, public speaking, and civic responsibility. The Jerome Park cleanup reflects the TAC’s mission of putting student leadership into direct community action, not as a class assignment, but as a choice made by young people who care about where they live.

“When students take ownership of their communities at this age, it shapes who they become as adults”, Psahos added. “Every bag of trash they picked up today is a statement: this is our park, this is our neighborhood, and we’re going to take care of it. That sense of responsibility doesn’t end when the cleanup does. It stays with them”.

Projekt NYC provides all cleanup supplies and coordination for its community service events at no cost to students or schools. The organization operates entirely on volunteer leadership, with no member of its team drawing a salary, and directs 93% of its budget to direct youth programming.

Projekt NYC is a Queens-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering middle and high school students through creativity, community service, and civic engagement. Projekt NYC creates meaningful opportunities for young people to grow, lead, and shine. The organization serves over 2,500 students annually across New York City’s five boroughs.

For more information, visit www.projektnyc.org.