HCHS students and local volunteers help restore park after recent floods
Students from Hart County High School, as well as local volunteers including Munfordville Fire Department and many others, helped clean Thelma Stovall Park so that it could reopen to the community. Photo submitted by Jessica Nunn.
Mary Beth Sallee
Editor
Hart Co. News-Herald
Due to torrential rainfall that brought flooding to the area last month, Thelma Stovall Park in Munfordville had been closed to the public since February 15.
But the park has now reopened thanks to the hard work of several individuals, including Hart County High School (HCHS) students and local volunteers.
“A student came to me to see if we could get some clubs together to go down to the park to volunteer like the school did a few years ago when the tornado came through,” said Jessica Nunn, HCHS English teacher, and BETA sponsor. “She went to Mr. Cecil (HCHS Principal) to see if it could be done, so we organized it with him and made sure it all got taken care of.”
The students spent several hours at the park on March 12, helping to clear remaining debris from the area in anticipation to once again welcome the community to a place many utilize and enjoy.
From left: Madison Dennis, Eli Matthews, Bryson Huff, Daisy Worley, and Charlsa Graham cleared debris at the park. Photo submitted by Jessica Nunn.
“Seeing these students drop everything for the community has been such a blessing for me,” Nunn said. “They worked so hard to make the park both operational and beautiful. It makes me excited to see this next generation of kind, committed individuals grow up…This specific group of students are dedicated to not only bettering themselves, but helping others see their worth and importance, too.”
Nunn, who also serves on Munfordville City Council, said that it takes individuals of all ages coming together for the betterment of the community.
“As a city councilwoman, it made me proud of the young people in this community,” Nunn said. “They took the initiative, went through with it, and turned it into something amazing.”
From left: Tori Pence, Bryson Huff, Eli Matthews, and Sarah Eckerman work together to clean-up Thelma Stovall Park. Photo submitted by Jessica Nunn.
Nunn added that several individuals of all ages and from different groups within the community worked hard to ensure that the park was ready to reopen. This included HCHS clubs Beta, FFA, and NHS (National Honor Society), as well as community partners Brooks Funeral Home, Munfordville Volunteer Fire Department, Munfordville City Workers, Munfordville Tourism, and two Munfordville City Council members (Nunn and Austin Grant). The Shine Brite Company also assisted in cleaning and sanitizing the park.
HCHS student Emma Sanders raked debris at the park. Photo submitted by Jessica Nunn.
Rachel Fields and Brooke Kersey helped make repairs at the park. Photo submitted by Jessica Nunn.
Mason Maggard and Kace Merideth cleaned the walkways at Thelma Stovall Park. Photo submitted by Jessica Nunn
