Buchanan’s Emily Long blazed a trail for girls in southwest Michigan looking for an adventure that can only be found through what was formerly Boy Scouts of America.

When Emily decided to take advantage of the national organization’s invitation for girls to join in on the fun, we were impressed by her leadership and desire to make an impact in the community.

Last week, Emily went from blazing a trail to cleaning one — the McCoy’s Creek Trail, to be exact. Through the project, she utilized the same principles that drew her to Scouts to begin with, and impressed us all over again.

Emily’s selfless act of cleaning the trail was admirable, but her ability to share her passion with others, encouraging them to trade their free time for free labor, was a big accomplishment of which we are appreciative.

As Emily and her cohorts worked to beautify the trail traversed by many southwest Michigan residents looking for some outdoor recreation, many stopped and told them that they had wanted to clean up the messy portion of the path for some time, but had not yet done so.

Emily encountered an issue, desired a solution and found the tools necessary to resolve the problem. When she realized the task was bigger than she could handle on her own, she used her charisma to encourage others to give back. When she ran into challenges throughout the project, she leaned on others in the community to help her overcome them.

Emily and all of these volunteers have set an example through their initiative, dedication and hard work. As you encounter challenges in our community, we encourage you to follow these individuals’ lead and take action. If we all led like Emily, just imagine what good could happen in our communities.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton and sports editor Scott Novak.