Justin Lawson and Kelly Dean shovel mulch during workday at Priceville Elementary School on Saturday. | Clif Knight

Twelve adult volunteers added an exclamation point to “synergize” on Saturday as each worked hard for more than two hours to give Priceville Elementary School a facelift.

Focusing on the landscaped area in front of the school, workers pulled deep-rooted weeds from raised beds, pruned shrubbery and re-mulched the beds.

“We had a lot of work to do before school starts,” said incoming principal Cherie Humphries. “Since our students did such a good job of supporting the “Leader in Me” program last year, planning a work day and synergizing as a community seemed like the logical thing do.

“We’re very blessed to live in a community that takes such great pride in its schools,” she added. “People step up and help when there’s a need.”

Humphries is following in the footsteps of Dr. Anne Knowlton who stepped down as principal in June to assume a staff position in the central office. She served as assistant principal for five years under Knowlton.

“I grew up here and I feel comfortable in my new role with the school,” she said. “Anne was such a great mentor. We brainstormed a lot together. I hope I can be as good of a mentor to others as she was to me.”

Humphries said she wants to continue the “Leader in Me” process and exceed the standards of the school‘s Lighthouse status.

Bentley Jones, 2, uses hand tools to dig up a weed in a flower bed at Priceville Elementary School on Saturday. | Clif Knight

Justin Lawson and Kelly Dean shovel mulch during workday at Priceville Elementary School on Saturday. | Clif Knight

Priceville Elementary School principal Cherie Humphries operates a riding lawn mower and trailer to haul away weeds from flowerbeds at the school’s workday. | Joy Harris