Lauren Riley of Cumberland County cleans one of the sponsorship signs posted near the entrance to the City of Burkesville.
2018 Rogers Scholar Lauren Riley of Cumberland County is collaborating with Partners with Pride on a city beautification project.
Riley, a graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program, worked in conjunction with Partners with Pride to maintain and make several landscape improvements to the city of Burkesville for her community service project.
She cleaned the city map kiosks, cleaned and repainted damaged areas of 17 sponsorship signs posted at key locations in the city, and pulled weeds in eight landscaping areas.
“Being able to give back to a community, which means so much to me, is truly a blessing,” said Riley, a student at Cumberland County High School. “It is such a small town, yet it has a big impact on the lives of people who live here.”
Riley met with the Partners with Pride Council and city leaders to determine how she could help with the beautification project now and in the future.
“It is so good to see young adults get involved in our community,” said Burkesville Mayor Billy Guffey.
Riley plans to continue to be involved with the beautification effort and is working on a larger project to transform the yield islands around the Burkesville Courthouse into flower beds.
“I am so blessed to be involved in such a great community,” she said. “Being able to give back makes me realize how many people care about our future. The Rogers Scholars program really taught me what it means to give back to those around us.”
Riley is the daughter of Terry and Laura Riley of Burkesville.