The Laurel Community held its first "Street Dance" in decades in July. Over 200 Laurel residents gathered for a night of dancing under the stars on Baltimore Street. In addition, the community center located across the street offered food to assist in raising funding to improve the town. Event organizer and Laurel native Michelle Spurlock shared that funds raised would go directly back to the community.

"It felt like a first step," Spurlock said. "People always say the first step is the hardest, and it was, but at the same time, it was so gratifying and exciting." 

From the money raised at the street dance, the old trash enclosure around Laurel Elementary School was removed along with the old gravel. After the area was leveled, new gravel was placed, and new cedar fencing was installed. The work was completed by Brad Spurlock and Jeremy Wilson.

“When I saw it completed, I sighed in relief, clapped excitedly, and said, "'okay, what's next?'"

Not only was Spurlock excited about the improvements, but the whole town has shared how nice it is to see Laurel progress.

"It is refreshing," said PTO Co-President Jordan Cox. "There has been so much change over the past couple of years; most kids don't remember a time when there wasn't a pandemic or a time when parents were able to walk the halls of the school. Seeing the community, families, and administration coming together to better the school and the town is something the kids can be proud of."