The 2016-17 Traverse City West Senior High Community Service Advisory (CSA) class raised $7,415.76 for Inland Seas Education Association to purchase a classroom set of bicycles. Forty CSA students planned and executed the Bayside Bash on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Greilickville Harbor Park and Discovery Pier.
Children’s games, a dunk tank, and face painting were available as well as food and ice cream trucks. Participants could also tour the schooners Inland Seas, Manitou, and Madeline and drive an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from the schooner Utopia. Kirb and The Dogs, a band made up of TC West science teacher, David Kirby, and nine TCW students, entertained the crowd. Teachers and students who were part of the Grand Traverse Stewardship Initiative were also present at the event. In addition to cleaning up the beach at Greilickville Harbor Park, they shared projects they worked on throughout the year.
Through sponsors and entry-by-donation, the Community Service Advisory students were able to more than double their goal of $3,000. The additional funds raised will allow Inland Seas to upgrade to bikes with a longer lifespan. The bikes purchased will be used by ISEA to increase programming for schools. Classes can learn aboard a Schoolship schooner and then participate in a self-guided environmental education bike ride to/from Traverse City. Biking the TART trail is one of the Beyond Schoolship programs Inland Seas has added to provide the schools they serve a full-day experience.
At a Traverse City Area Public Schools board meeting on November 13, 2017, Fred Sitkins, ISEA Executive Director, was presented with a “big” check from advisors Tak Ready and Kelly Rintala, board president Erik Falconer, superintendent Paul Soma, and two students from the class.