UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Hello Optimists!

Last month, the UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club teamed up with a Service Learning and Leadership (SLLS) class taught by Kim Adams and Angie Alesci to help beautify the playground of Lakeview Elementary School.

The project was a great success, and together the groups created two landscaping beds, planted eight trees, and constructed two buddy benches for the playground.

The groups came together to understand the needs and wishes of principal Dave Brokopp and his staff. Those needs were fulfilled with the money raised from the 2017 Optimist Trivia Night, sponsored by the UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club and the UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club. The groups removed sod, brought in mulch for planting, and worked to design and paint the buddy benches. John Zastrow and Chuck Lilla from the UW-W campus also volunteered their time to assist with the project.

The benches were constructed by Optimist Club member Wes Therrian. Students from the after-school program at Lakeview helped the college students decorate them with paint and handprints. The principal, students and teachers were very pleased with the finished product.Proceeds from the 2018 Optimist Trivia Night will be contributed to the Whitewater Middle School.

Two brothers and a friend, sitting on a completed buddy bench.

Student Learning and Leadership (SLLS) class behind a new landscaping bed.

John Zasgtrow (middle) and UW-Whitewater students creating a landscaping bed.

UW-Whitewater and Lakeview students working together to decorate a Buddy Bench.

Service Learning and Leadership (SLLS) class behind a newly planted oak tree.

Four Lakeview students sitting on a Buddy Bench they helped create.

UW-Whitewater student (left) and Chuck Lilla (right) planting a tree at Lakeview.

UW-Whitewater students behind a newly finished Buddy Bench.