The Los Altos High School Student Community Leaders (SCL) held a beach cleanup at Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay, Calif. on Sunday, April 21. SCL chose Poplar Beach because it is widely regarded as one of the most popular beaches in Half Moon Bay. Beyond cleaning the beach, SCL hoped to promote sustainability and spread awareness about how we treat our beaches.

SCL partnered with Surfrider Foundation, a national non-profit organization that focuses on preserving the ocean and beaches. With their help, SCL picks up over ten pounds of trash each beach cleanup, which they have previously held twice.

According to senior Isabelle Sabsovich, SCL’s Commissioner of Service Learning, SCL has been focusing more on “humanitarian causes” this year. She hopes that in the future they will emphasize hosting more environmental events like beach cleanups.

“Beaches are one of the most integral parts of California,” Isabelle said. “As students who attend school in California, we want to give back to our community and to nature itself.”

Others who volunteered for the cleanup echoed Isabelle’s sentiment, mentioning how they felt like they were making a real impact.

“I know that people [at the cleanup] are very passionate about creating change and making the world a better place,” SCL member junior Ella Dong said.

Apart from the event as an act of activism, SCL president senior Asha Parker added that the cleanup also serves as a way for SCL to connect with their community.

“It’s a great way for us to bond,” Asha said.