The senior class of 2026 had their leaf raking volunteer day on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. 

Senior leaf raking has been done for over 24 years at Wadsworth High School, according to principal Rich Berlin. It is an opportunity for the senior class to help out their community and get five out of the 10 volunteer hours needed to graduate. Citizens in Wadsworth sign up to get their yards raked by the students.

“It is not a fundraiser and is strictly community service,” Berlin said. “It is all done through the Soprema Senior Center. We call them, they put the list together for me, and they give me the list of all the yards. I organize it [Senior Leaf Raking].”

WHS students raked over 175 yards in Wadsworth. Berlin stated this is typically the amount of yards that are raked each year. Each group of students were tasked with raking around 10 yards.

Students were required to bring their own rakes, leaf blowers, and tarps, if possible.

On leaf-raking day, the Parent Teacher Organization, or the PTO, took care of breakfast, which was served at 8:00 a.m. in the gym. After the teachers gathered their groups of students into precincts, they left for their assigned yards around 9:00 a.m.. These groups worked on their yards from around 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Then, students were allowed to return home.

“Senior Leaf Raking was super fun and I loved working with my group,” said senior Tabitha Quinlan.

Senior Leaf Raking allows the senior class to work together and give back to the community by raking yards for those who may not be able to do so on their own, Berlin stated.

“It’s a good day to spend with your classmates, and an incredible day for the community,” Berlin said.