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Giving Back While Moving Forward: IvyStrides’ Adopt-a-Street Experience

At IvyStrides, our mission is clear — helping high school students prepare for the SAT, build standout college essays, and ultimately, secure admission to their dream colleges. But beyond test scores and applications, we also believe in building character and giving back to the community.


That’s why we recently launched a unique initiative: participating in the Adopt-a-Street/Adopt-a-Highway program in the cities of Frisco, TX and Plano, TX. The idea is simple — an organization “adopts” a stretch of roadway and commits to keeping it clean by picking up litter every couple of months. In return, the city displays signage at both ends of the adopted stretch, recognizing the group’s contribution.


For us, it was both a marketing initiative (visibility through signage in areas where many of our students live) and a meaningful community service activity. What started as an idea for brand exposure turned into something far deeper — a surprisingly joyful, almost spiritual, experience.


The Streets We Adopted


  • Frisco, TX – Hillcrest Road (from Rolater to Main) – Clean-up on Thursday, August 21st

  • Plano, TX – Coit Road (from Legacy Dr. to Spring Creek Pkwy) – Clean-up on Monday, August 25th


On both days, IvyStrides founders Hemant A and Rajesh V donned neon safety vests, gloves, and wide-brimmed hats, and headed out with trash grabbers and large bags.


The weather wasn’t exactly forgiving — about 90°F (32°C) under the Texas sun. Still, over the course of 3 hours each day, we filled multiple bags: two in Frisco, three in Plano.


What We Found

The litter we collected was a mirror to modern urban life:


  • Soda cans & tumblers

  • Cigarette butts, e-cigarettes, and lighters

  • Plastic cups and shopping bags

  • Paper napkins and fast-food wrappers

  • Candy and chocolate wrappers

  • Chip bags and snack packaging


Looking at the trash pile (see photos), one thought struck us strongly: wasteful habits create literal waste. Smoking, excessive junk food, single-use plastics — they don’t just harm health, they harm our environment too.


Reflections from the Cleanup


  1. Joy in Giving Back

    We began this project thinking about the visibility IvyStrides signage would bring. But once we got into the rhythm of the cleanup, we realized how fulfilling it felt to be out there, making our neighborhoods cleaner. The reward was no longer the signboard — it was the act itself.

  2. Wasteful Activities = Urban Waste

    So much of the litter came from habits like smoking, vaping, and snacking on junk food. It made us reflect: if people cut back on such activities, not only would their health improve, but our streets would be cleaner too.

  3. An Activity Worth Experiencing

    Picking up trash under the hot sun may not sound glamorous, but there was something almost spiritual about it. The simple act of bending down, cleaning, and looking back at a stretch of road that looked better than before brought a sense of peace and satisfaction.


Why Students Should Care


For high school students aspiring to top colleges, community service is more than just a line on a resume — it’s an opportunity to build perspective and character. Colleges value students who:


  • Take initiative outside of academics

  • Give back to their communities

  • Reflect meaningfully on their experiences


Joining a cleanup drive, whether through an official program or organizing one with friends, gives you stories worth telling in your college essays. Imagine writing about the day you picked up litter in 90-degree heat and how it changed your perspective on responsibility and waste. That’s a narrative that stands out.


A Day in Pictures

Rajesh V - Starting off at Hillcrest Rd in Frisco with trash bags, gloves, and grabbers in hand.
Rajesh V - Starting off at Hillcrest Rd in Frisco with trash bags, gloves, and grabbers in hand.

Hemant A - Carefully picking up bottles, wrappers, and cigarette butts along the sidewalks.
Hemant A - Carefully picking up bottles, wrappers, and cigarette butts along the sidewalks.
Rajesh V wrapping up a three-hour effort on Coit Road in Plano.
Rajesh V wrapping up a three-hour effort on Coit Road in Plano.
Two full bags of urban waste — a snapshot of habits that we can all do better to change.
Two full bags of urban waste — a snapshot of habits that we can all do better to change.

Thank You, Frisco & Plano

We owe a special thank you to the cities of Frisco and Plano for making this possible. From the start, their teams were supportive and agile, providing us with:


  • Clear instructions on safety protocols

  • Reflective vests and gloves

  • Trash bags and grabbers


Their coordination made our first experience smooth and enjoyable. More importantly, it gave us a deeper appreciation for the people who quietly work behind the scenes every day to keep our cities clean and livable.


What’s Next?


We’ve committed to continuing this Adopt-a-Street program in both Frisco and Plano every other month. It’s a tradition we hope to carry forward for years.


Not only will IvyStrides signage remind families of our presence, but more importantly, we’ll continue to experience — and share — the joy of giving back.


And perhaps, just perhaps, we’ll inspire students and parents in our community to roll up their sleeves, too.


Final Word

At IvyStrides, we prepare students for SATs, essays, and admissions. But equally, we want to model the values of responsibility, initiative, and service.


Our Adopt-a-Street experience reminded us of a truth worth carrying into all aspects of life: small, consistent efforts add up — whether it’s solving math problems, drafting essays, or cleaning up a stretch of road.


👉 Ready to take your next step toward college? While we help you ace the SAT and write powerful essays, we also encourage you to think about how you can give back to your own community. It might just be the most rewarding prep you do.


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