Binghamton schools participate in Harper’s Clean Up Day

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) — Members of the Binghamton Schools community sought to make their neighborhoods and little brighter and cleaner in memory of a former student.

Harper’s Clean Up Day was held on Saturday.

It’s held in honor of Harper Stantz, a junior at Binghamton High School who was struck and killed by a driver on heroin in 2019. Volunteers gathered at all 10 Binghamton school buildings to pick up litter and do other basic clean up in the neighborhoods surrounding the schools.

Each participant was given a trash grabber, garbage bags and gloves and many wore yellow T-shirts in honor of Harper’s favorite color. The student group Sisterz 4 Sisters helped to organize the effort.

“It’s definitely big for everyone in our community. Harper went to our school so she’s often mentioned. Many of Harper’s friends came in honor of her, coming back to remember her. It’s a moment of self-reflection and remembering Harper Stantz,” junior Maria Mustafa said.

“I tend to volunteer for stuff like this. I love being able to do it. I love being given the opportunity to be able to do stuff like this. It feels good and it feels good in my heart,” senior Briahna Raymond added.

Raymond says despite some disgusting garbage and a rat in the hotel parking lot next to the school, the kids had a good time beautifying the neighborhood.

She says it’s a whole community effort bringing together students of all ages, alumni, friends of Harper and members of her family.

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