After the final school bell rings for the day, for a group of Union-Endicott students, the work is just beginning.

They’re spending their afternoon picking up trash alongside the busy Washington Avenue in Endicott.

While it may not be a glamorous way to give back, Mari Stover-Ling said it sets a good example for the next generation of students.

“I think it’s really important to spread the message of 'YES Leads' and also inspire youth to pick up as well,” said junior Mari Stover-Ling.

Mari belongs to a group known as "YES Leads," and for their project this year, the students partnered with an organization which aims to beautify the village, known as "Endicott Proud."

Mayor Linda Jackson was inspired by their hard work and now joins them on the project.

“This is fantastic. They offered to do this. This was their idea and to do that for us, that’s wonderful. I’m hoping this will give the businesses some incentive to help keep it clean,” said Jackson.

The "YES Leads" program is sponsored by New York state Sen. Fred Akshar and aims to bring middle and high school students into the classrooms of elementary students for important discussions.

“I think it’s incredibly important. You have this group of YES leaders from Union-Endicott partnering with Endicott Proud and making a difference. People in the community are talking to them, what are you doing, and they’re just giving back to the community and it’s inspiring. Hopefully everybody else will take part,” said Sen. Akshar.

The program has been in place across the Southern Tier for a number of years now and students like Mari are proud to carry on that tradition.

“I hope it shows my fellow students that it’s good to get out and serve your community, even something as simple as picking up trash on the ground can be really inspirational to others around you,” said Stover-Ling.

Along with cleanup projects, "YES Leads" spreads the message of drug and alcohol prevention at various schools across the Southern Tier.