HOPE – The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Hope High School has been recognized by the Arkansas Highways and Transportation Department for its commitment to litter abatement on state highways.

MSgt. (Ret.) Kenneth Funchess said the HHS unit was awarded the AHTD Certificate of Recognition for its participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program.

Sgt. Funchess said the local cadets adopted a two-mile segment of the Bill Clinton Bypass from its intersection with U. S. Highway 67 east to Spruce Avenue in Hope. He said the cadets regularly clear trash from the right of way along the stretch.

“We’ve had a lot of community support for it,” Funchess said. “We have had citizens who drive by come back with donuts for the students and tell us how much they appreciate what we’re doing.”

Hope Schools Superintendent Bobby Hart and HHS Principal Bill Hoglund participated in the presentation of the AHTD citation for “outstanding service in helping the Arkansas Highways and Transportation Department maintain the beauty of Arkansas roadways.”

The HHS JROTC unit has been involved in the Adopt-A-Highway program since 2013, according to Funchess.

He said there are currently 60 cadets in the JROTC program at HHS.