Fresh, local, and rooted in tradition—once again this fall, Highland High School students are benefiting from the generosity of Wilklow Orchards. Each afternoon at dismissal, students are invited to grab a crisp apple on their way out the door, a small gesture that has grown into a beloved tradition within the school community.

The partnership with Wilklow Orchards stretches back many years. Long before the daily delivery began, Highland students would walk across the street after school to choose an apple from the farm stand. Though the stand has since closed to the public, Wilklow Orchards has kept the spirit of that routine alive by delivering fresh apples to the school each day. What started as a simple act of kindness has become a meaningful reminder of the close-knit relationship between the school and its local community.

Principal Brandon Opitz expressed his gratitude for the continued partnership, saying, “We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Wilklow Orchards. Something as simple as sharing an apple each day helps create a sense of community and belonging for our students. It’s a reminder that Highland is a place where people care about one another, and those small acts of kindness make a big difference.”