With much ANTICIPATION and ENTHUSIASTIC attitudes fourteen WCHS students launched canoes and kayaks on the Big South Fork (BSF) at Blue Heron mine to begin an exciting twelve mile trip down river to Alum Ford. The trip was an opportunity and reward for their participation in community service events and to involve them in paddle sports activities.
Beginning this school year, Wayne County High School Principal Peggy Shearer and members of her faculty have sought ideas to stimulate more involvement from students and faculty in environmental awareness, outdoor adventure and paddle sport activities and to help them understand the educational opportunities available through these activities. With educational awareness as the motivating factor “Project Green” was launched in collaboration with EKU, WKU and former WCHS graduate Gerald Catron. Recently retired from Toyota Motor Company and with extensive knowledge in environmental issues and water sport activities, Catron wanted to share his expertise and give back to the school and community he grew up in. Helping launch “Project Green” provided him this opportunity. With his assistance and involvement, this event was offered as an incentive reward for students who had completed ten hours of community service in an activity that contributed to environmental improvement to our community.
With unpredictable and stormy weather looming students were undeterred as they traveled to the take out site at Alum Ford to rendezvous with the Sheltowee Trace Outfitters who would provide the canoes for their adventure. From Alum Ford students boarded the Sheltowee shuttle bus for the short trip to the entrance site at Blue Heron. With heavy rain pounding the bus on the way to the departure site students didn’t seem to worry that their trip might be rained out.
“We’re going to get wet anyway,” was their attitude.
Just as they arrived the rain stopped and blue skies with bright sun shine prevailed as they carried their canoes to the river’s edge. At this point and before any canoe was launched all students received very serious safety and basic paddling instructions from American Canoe Association certified instructors and fellow students Tyler Mercer and Kaidy Richardson. Supervising their instruction and also providing paddling information were sponsors Stephanie Martin Floyd (a WCHS teacher), her husband Jordan, and 1SG George Snyder (JROTC instructor) also certified ACA instructors. Stephanie and Jordan, avid kayakers’ had brought their kayaks to use as they guided the group down river.
After the instructors had checked all safety equipment and felt students were prepared for launch, the “REAL FUN “began as each pair of canoeist launched into the swift flowing river and headed for downriver thrills. From Blue Heron to Alum Ford there are several Class 1 and 2 rapids which can prove difficult if canoeist aren’t paddling as a team. This was just one of the challenges that students eagerly anticipated as they headed into the rapids at certain points. Keeping the canoe going north and south was a challenge for some but not for long as everyone quickly mastered their paddling task.
Canoes are inherently unstable as WCHS Teacher Brian Dishman discovered as he and ACA instructor Tyler Mercer were unable to avoid a large rock in midstream and their canoe tipped throwing them both into the river. Not a problem as both instructor and student followed procedures to a tee and overcame their sudden spill. Although soaked from head to toe Brian and Tyler continued the trip with enthusiasm.
Just as Brian and Tyler had an experience they will remember for some time to come so did other members of the party. Some had never been in a canoe or seen the BSF up close and personal.
“This trip was especially fun and exciting,” said JROTC Cadet Nickesha Meadors.
“Balancing the canoe through the rapids was exciting and definitely required a lot of teamwork” Her canoe partner, Jasey Ford commented.
For students Alisa Magat, Dillon Staples, Parth Patel, Austin Kirksey, Cary Underwood and Instructor Brian Dishman, who had never been in a canoe before, the trip was an adventure and a rewarding experience they hope to experience again in the spring.
Thanks to everyone involved in launching “Project Green”. Community service is important and WCHS students stand to benefit from future” Project Green” activities.


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