Last year PCHS underwent the process of planting trees and shrubs for mitigation. Jim Maglis' classes helped plant and water the trees during the first few months after planting. Maglis also took his classes out to measure the trees to check on growth.
Maglis said that right now there is a five-year period that PCHS is supposed to keep watch of the trees and make sure they are growing. He also said that for now the only things that can be done to help the trees is making sure there are no invasive grasses or weeds.
"Right now we can only mow twice a year and pull the weeds, other than that there isn't much work to be done with them, they are mostly self-sufficient," Maglis said.
The trees were planted under an Environmental Impact Statement. In order for the high school to be built in this location, there was an agreement that the school corporation would do something to help preserve the land. The solution? Plant trees. Maglis said that planting trees and shrubs have done an extremely good job of helping with mitigation.
"There is a certain percentage of trees that have to survive, if one dies we replant it. I still want to take my classes to measure and check the health of the trees," Maglis said.
Senior, Justin Niederhaus, made a petition and planted an orchard. In his group of trees there are two fruit cocktail trees, four apple trees, two pear trees, four peach trees, and two cherry trees. Although, Niederhaus says one of the cherry trees might be dead.
He said he planted the trees so that the school would have fresh fruit whenever they wanted and so that Stacy Hurt could use it in her Nutrition and Wellness classes. Niederhaus said that friends and his dad help him take care of the trees.
"I felt like I would need a lot of help but I don't feel like I'm working when I'm with my babies, but I do appreciate the help," Niederhaus said.
Once Niederhaus graduates he said that if he goes to school close to home, he will come back every weekend to take care of the trees. But, he said if he goes farther away he has been looking for a freshman to take charge.
"I think my trees made it through the sweltering summer very well and I am proud of them," Niederhaus said.