Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton senior Keona Sutinen places a plant in front of the parking garage across the street from the Vault Hotel. The HPTS seniors plant flowers throughout Houghton as part of their last group project together as a class.

HOUGHTON — Houghton-Portage High School seniors did their part in beautifying the city Tuesday morning. The seniors planted annuals and painted fish throughout the city. Alongside the plants are painted cutouts of fish that were decorated by the Carnegie Museum, the library and Houghton elementary students. This is the 10th year seniors worked

on one last project and community service event together before graduating.

The students will receive a donation from the City of Houghton to go towards their end of the year lock-in party on the evening of graduation. This year’s lock-in will feature a variety of activities including laser tag, a corn hole tournament, swimming, movies and refreshments.

Jessica Lawson of the parent committee for the senior lock-in said she was happy to be involved as her oldest son is graduating in this class. “I think it’s lovely,” Lawson said. “We have lived in the area for many years. My husband is the elementary PE teacher, so that’s what brought us to the area, and I do appreciate seeing all the beauty in Houghton all summer long.”

Senior Ruebyn Mensah was excited about the upcoming party with a possible rivalry going down in laser tag between the school’s football and hockey players, but he also said he thinks it is important to give back to the community. “It feels pretty good to know that our work will be seen by everyone else in the community and make it look like a better place,” he said.

Senior Class Treasuurer Chloe Serafin said it was fun to come together as a group one last time before the big celebration, and gardening is something she is fond of. “I like gardening. It’s pretty fun planting flowers and stuff, since I was a kid I gardened with my grandparents and parents,” Serafin said.