Students dig into service

While many Newport-Mesa teenagers were still in bed on Saturday morning, 14-year-old Cole Mensinger was patting the dirt around a fern pine tree sapling on Country Club Drive he and other members of the Estancia High School football team helped plant.

“It feels good to do something the help the community and make it a better place,” Cole said, shovel still in hand. The teen got up at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday to help with the tree-planting project.

Cole, who will be a freshman tight end in the fall, was one of about 35 members of the Estancia High School football team who volunteered their time Saturday to plant 25 new trees on Country Club Drive. The crape myrtle, purple orchid and fern pine trees were donated by the city of Costa Mesa for the community service project.

The tree planting is one of many community service projects the Estancia football team has undertaken during Mike Bargas’ three years as head coach.

“We’ve tried to make community service a priority because we get so much support from the community,” Bargas said. “We want to have a good relationship with the neighbors, and it doesn’t hurt to get a little dirty either.”

The team has also volunteered its time helping out with local church carnivals and at the Special Olympics.

“In 25 years, these kids can come back and see the fruits of their labor and how the trees have grown,” Bargas said.

Chris Selby, who will be a freshman this fall, helped to plant the trees, although he isn’t on the football team.

“It’s a good way to help out and the city and the environment,” Chris, 13, said.

Alex Hager, 14, who will start his freshman year this fall as a defensive end and left guard player on the football team, also volunteered to help with the tree planting on Saturday.

“It felt like the right thing to do in my heart,” Alex said.