FROM STAFF REPORTS

From October through February, approximately one hundred volunteers participated in the Oak Mountain Intermediate School Field Makeover Project, a joint project of Oak Mountain Intermediate School and the Oak Mountain Youth Baseball, Softball, Football and Cheerleading community athletic programs.

Educators, parents, students and community members worked together in a much-needed makeover of the ball fields at the back of the school property. Volunteers worked evenings and Saturdays to make the fields safer and more enjoyable for OMIS and the community.

The extensive renovation project included dismantling, sanding and painting bleachers, installing new seats, using recycled boards to install plant boxes near dugouts, and rebuilding and painting scorekeeper stands. In addition, volunteers removed old fencing behind the fields and addressed drainage issues.

To complete the renovation, OMIS art teacher Leigh Walker assisted in updating the field signs by hand- painting the new OM community logo “This Is Our Mountain.” The partnership also involved completion of a soccer/practice field for school and community use.

Dr. Pat LeQuier, OMIS Principal, extended appreciation on behalf of OMIS to Brian Lee, president of the Oak Mountain Youth Baseball and Softball League, and Derry Herring, president of the Oak Mountain Youth Football and Cheerleading Program, for their active investment in the partnership.

LeQuier also acknowledged the significant involvement of Pat Rakers, coordinator of facilities and maintenance for the leagues, whose enthusiasm and leadership for the initiative were invaluable. In addition, the OMIS PTO’s financial contribution was crucial to the success of the project.