Alcohol cans, McDonalds bags, and discarded Dunkin’ coffee cups littered the Gloucester High parking lot. Vapes were wedged in between rocks, and the bright spring grass was covered with greasy takeout boxes. A ripped shopping bag dangled from one of the nearby trees like a white flag of surrender.
As Coach Gap Saputo drove through on his way to tennis practice, he found he couldn’t even enjoy the school’s waterfront beauty while the area was scattered with trash. Shocked that such a picturesque spot could be filled with so much garbage, Saputo knew he had to do something to beautify the area. That’s when he got the idea for the trash pickup.
On Wednesday, the Gloucester High Girls’ Tennis Team ended practice early. They traded their rackets for tight blue gloves and grabbed big black trash bags. While the sun shone and a soft breeze blew off the canal, the team set out to pick up garbage on the waterfront side of the Gloucester High School parking lot.
Working in teams of two or three, each equipped with a trash bag, the girls got to work. Saputo operated alongside his team while they covered behind the tennis courts, up the hill towards Pathways and the Open Door, and around the boat ramp.
This cleanup was part of a GHS-wide initiative that was originally suggested by Saputo. Because of his idea, Gloucester High Athletics will organize for each sports team to spend a practice cleaning up the school grounds.
Though some tennis teammates expressed disgust during their cleanup, one sound was more prominent: laughter. However unexpectedly, the girls had a great time cleaning up their school.
“It was so much fun,” said junior Esme Sarrouf. “It was great team bonding.”
Some girls even made a game of it, competing for who could find the most absurd pieces of trash. Some players found nips, vapes, and a bong. Another found underwear.
Saputo said his real motivation for putting the cleanup together was to teach the team a deeper lesson. “It’s important to me because this is my hometown, and I love to see my hometown clean,” he said. “It makes me feel good, and that’s what I want the team to get from me.”
Team members indeed felt the benefits of giving back. “We really got to do something that was impactful, while strengthening our drive for community,” Sarrouf said.
Saputo’s final message? “All you people that are throwing trash out there,” he said, “shame on you!”
