A brand-new addition to the Intermediate School playground was recently unveiled. The project was sparked by the efforts of four students in Mrs. Nikki Miller’s third grade class last year.

Taking action through persuasive essays

Elena McDaniels, Bennett Willis, Jack Thayer and Makenzie Outman wrote persuasive essays suggesting improvements to the school playground. Thayer and Outman used their writing skills to advocate replacing the playground’s broken curly slide. A new slide was purchased by the district and installed by the HCSD Maintenance and Grounds crew and the City of Hornell.

On Friday, Oct. 13 the Intermediate School celebrated the new slide with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. During the event, Thayer and Outman read their essays to the entire fourth grade. Following their reading, all four students had the honor of cutting the ribbon and being the first to enjoy the slide.

Special guests were in attendance, including the students’ former third grade teacher Mrs. Nikki Miller, Superintendent Jeremy Palotti and Director of Facilities Shannon Davis.