West Mercer community shines at Fall Clean-Up
Published 2:30 pm Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Special to the Reporter
West Mercer Elementary was buzzing with activity as families, students, staff and neighbors gathered for the school’s annual Fall Clean-Up. The event, held from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 9, drew a strong turnout of volunteers.
A major boost to this year’s work came from Cedar Grove Composting, which donated 10 yards of nutrient-rich compost for the event. Cedar Grove, which recycles more than 350,000 tons of yard and food waste each year and provides organic collection services to West Mercer, supplied the material used to refresh garden beds and enrich newly cleared areas. The compost pile quickly became one of the event’s busiest stations, with students shoveling, and families hauling wheelbarrow.
Organizational leadership also played a key role in the event’s success. Brittney Swartz, who oversaw planning and logistics, ensured the multi-hour effort ran efficiently. Principal Megan Isakson added to the momentum, working alongside families with rolled-up sleeves and a steady dose of school spirit that set a positive tone throughout the morning.
Student participation was another highlight, including from the newly formed Nature Club, whose mission focuses on environmental stewardship and campus improvement. Club president Kenzie Vannatter said, “I didn’t even know kids could move that much compost, but we did it.”
A notable victory came when volunteers managed to uproot several old tree stumps that had long overstayed their welcome. The triumph didn’t end there. A post on a Mercer Island community Facebook group seeking guidance led to an unexpected display of neighborly resourcefulness when resident Mike Waggoner stepped in to assist. After identifying a newly discovered 400-pound rock buried deep in the ground, Waggoner devised a safe extraction plan using a Nissan Leaf for controlled leverage to help free the massive stone. His quick thinking and engineering know-how ultimately allowed the rock to be repurposed as a new feature in the refreshed landscape.
To keep spirits high, the PTA provided cotton candy, refreshments and snacks, creating a festive atmosphere as volunteers worked. By noon, the campus showed visible improvements, but organizers noted that the event represented more than beautification alone. The gathering highlighted the collective effort and sense of pride that define the school community.
