The first event of three and Transform Denton has begun. About 237 members of the community came out to Calhoun Middle School for a day of service. Project leaders arrived at 6:30 a.m. to load supplies, set up tables, and divide out clipboards. A hodge podge of Dentonites-families, students, teachers, businessmen, and nurses began to arrive around 8 a.m. Everyone seemed awake and ready to get started. The air buzzed with connection in conversation and Alex Payne kicked off the event with a welcome and moment of silence.

Jamie Lawless, a 7th grade math teacher from Calhoun said that her students began to take pride in their campus when it began to look like somewhere they would want to hang out. The murals, the garden, even the painted stair rails were something they have begun to protect as their own. This first event was very focused on landscaping. Holly bushes were planted along the outside of the school as well as flower beds, a retaining wall was begun, and a pear tree was given a wonderful sitting area.

Once again this year those Calhoun orange stair rails were given a good sanding and re-coat.