Portsmouth High students keep rec facilities looking good

The two young men worked hard and the town is so grateful.”

Wendy Bulk, director, Portsmouth Recreation Department

PORTSMOUTH — Two students at Portsmouth High School have been hard at work volunteering for the town’s Recreation Department to complete their senior projects.

Thomas Coite repainted and stenciled trash cans used at the town-owned Sandy Point Beach. According to Wendy Bulk, the director of the Recreation Department, the trash cans were in need of refurbishment. 

Meanwhile, Patrick Renault, through a mentor, offered to build and provide Adirondack chairs for the Leonard Brown House, which houses the offices for Ms. Bulk and the department itself at Glen Farm.

According to Ms. Bulk, both boys expressed interest in making improvements to town facilities. 

“Thomas wanted to repaint the trash cans around the beaches as they were in bad shape, while Patrick wanted to help renew the house and decided to make the chairs for the house as part of this renewal,” she said. “The two young men worked hard and the town is so grateful.”

Thomas said his senior project was borne out of convenience as he was already doing his Boy Scouts Eagle Project for the Recreation Department. For his senior project, Thomas stenciled the eight barrels and for his Eagle Project, he was tasked with restoring the cans.

Thomas completed the project over his winter break. With the help of others, it took him four days to restore the barrels, and then another three days to finish stenciling them.

“This experience has not only taught me how to refurbish and preserve metal, but also has given me patience and strengthened my leadership skills in having to guide and motivate people who were working with me in a team effort through the project,” Thomas said.

He also urged incoming seniors to find their senior projects sooner rather than later. 

"My recommendation is that when it comes to senior projects, don't waste time and fool around because it may take longer than you think it will. Don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today,” he said.

After he graduates in June, Thomas plans on going to boot camp for the U.S. Marine Corps and hopes to become an aviation electronics technician. 

Comfy seats

Patrick proposed building Adirondack chairs for the Recreation Department at a Town Council meeting last September and began the construction process in January. He spent a total of 37 hours on the project. 

When asked how the experience has helped him to grow as a person, Patrick replied, "I have learned to keep trying new things, and I am glad to have a new activity that I enjoy.”

His advice for incoming seniors? "I would tell them to keep trying new things. You may find something you enjoy.”

After graduation, Patrick plans on working his summer job at a local tourist shop in Newport before attending the University of Tampa in Florida in the fall.