Annually, DECA presents its members with an opportunity to be part of their community. Ridge Gives Day was a community bonding opportunity that included teamwork, leadership, and school pride, where students cleaned up their environment to make it shine brighter.

Teachers, DECA advisers, and officers coordinated the event and made sure every student had a role to play. Ridge Gives Day is more than just cleaning up the school; it is about creating a culture of care, responsibility, and gratitude. Jay Saraswat, a sophomore and one of the organizers of Ridge Gives Day, also states, “Ridge Gives Day is about cleaning up the community, giving back, and helping out the school while promoting awareness for a better learning environment.”

Students were divided into groups, each led by another one of their peers. Their tasks ranged from wiping down windows to repainting and tidying up the garden. Each team started with enthusiasm, with laughter and conversations in the background. 

Beyond physical cleaning, something deeper happened that day. As students completed their assigned tasks, they made new connections. Connections with friends and their surroundings. Ordinary places now meant something deeper, polished with personal care.

For newer students, this was a chance to see what teamwork looks like and to get more involved with their Ridge community. Diya Jose, a junior and one of the organizers of Ridge Gives Day, agrees while saying, “One thing that I took away from this experience was that kindness is always given back.” The clean-up became a lesson in leadership and cooperation with an environmental twist.

What made Ridge Gives Day stand out wasn’t the fact that it left the campus spotless. It left students feeling fulfilled. They realized giving back doesn’t always have to be grand. Sometimes, it can be as simple as taking care of your surroundings. It reminded everyone that responsibility isn’t an individual effort but a collective one. Every small action counts when people work together.