Bentley University students Anthony Bella ‘13 and Tèa Trebicka ‘14 were among 10 college students throughout the U.S. selected to join the Liberty Mutual Responsible Scholars™ Community Project team in Los Angeles during winter break. January 2 to 8, the group headed west to assist the Angeles National Forest Rangers with ongoing recovery efforts stemming from recent natural disasters.

Students worked on reforestation of the Angeles National Forest by planting new saplings and erecting protective tents around them as well as putting in place ground protection that aids growth. They also helped rangers with cleanup from the recent Santa Ana windstorms, which caused nearly $4.0 million in damage to Department of Public Works properties.

In addition to Bentley, recipients hail from Bryant University, Flagler College, Howard University, Middle Tennessee State University, Northeastern University, San Francisco State University, University of Michigan, and University of New Hampshire.

Each student submitted a video explaining why they should be chosen for the trip and their stories helped send them to L.A.  Their videos are posted on Liberty Mutual’s Responsible Scholars™ YouTube channel. Watch Anthony’s video. Watch Tea’s video.

Photo caption: The volunteer team in Angeles National Forest after planting trees earlier in the day. Bella is second from the left (back row), and Trebicka is second from the right (front row).