AP Science Class tests and cleans Leith Lake

Every year John Rioux’s AP Environmental Science classes takes the last couple weeks of school to clean out BHS’s Leith Lake. All the students during their hours of AP Environmental Science come out and do all sorts of things to help out. They come outside with garbage bags and do things as little as picking up trash and go as far as wearing waders to go inside the lake and clean it.

“Cleaning out the lake makes me feel very beneficial to my environment. I love being able to step out of my comfort zone for a good cause, especially in the months of summer with my good friends,” Junior Jackie Kochan said.

Cleaning out the lake has so many benefits. Students and visitors are able to enjoy the scenery, they can do things like fishing, canoeing, or just sit on the dock and read a book.

“My favorite part about the clean lake is being able to fish in a better environment, it’s so fun for me,” junior Zach Ort said.

Rioux’s classes do things other than cleaning though. Before cleaning the lake, the students and Rioux tested the lake’s PH level. From their results they have found that Leith Lake is just slightly acidic, which is expected though from being placed right next to a large building with so many things draining into it every day.

“To preserve the ecosystem we have to keep as much trash as we can out. We try to keep them aesthetically pleasing,” Rioux said.

BHS is thankful for these kids helping out the school in such a positive way.