Due to old equipment, dangerous limbs and branches hanging from trees, Fort Defiance High School desperately needed a face-lift. On Tuesday, it got one thanks to a former student who wanted a way to give back to the school.

Richard Halterman graduated from Fort Defiance in 1970. Although it's been a long time since he's walked the halls, he knew the school needed a face-lift.

Halterman says, "We're cutting down limbs that are dangerous, should be removed. We're taking out old junk that’s gotten in the school."

The school enlisted the help of the of more than just the teachers. The students were also asked to help out and the school got an overwhelming response.

Freshman Nathan Rice comments, "I'd rather help the community than sit around and do nothing."

Senior Rachel Ringgold adds, "I'm going to be using those locker rooms and I'm going to be walking around school so, you know, it's nice to look at some better looking things than we have had in the past."

Halterman says Augusta County officials have even joined in the effort to clean up the school by paying for supplies and sending more help.

He says, "Augusta County has supported us by sending over 15 of their folks from their central office. They're all in here all day today. We've got dump trucks, backhoes, every piece of equipment Augusta County owns is over here today working."

Ringgold says another goal of the clean-up effort is to introduce incoming freshman to the school.

She says, "There’s a lot of group things that you have to do, you have to learn to get along with people."

Halterman also says the ultimate goal is to inspire the kids to give back.

"We want people to take pride, kids to take pride in what is here and if they're proud of what they have then maybe they'll give back," explains Halterman.

Halterman hopes more school districts will follow his lead and create a program like this one for students to come in and give back not only to their school but to the community as well.