Written by Laura Christmas

MIDDLEBURG, Fla — A new street sweeper is sweeping its way through Clay County’s roads - and it has a new name - Sweep Dreams, named by second graders at Tynes Elementary School. 

Watch: 

On a warm Monday morning, the promise of summer wasn’t just in the air -- it was on campus at Tynes Elementary School. Ms. Neely’s second grade class sat under the awning at the bus loop, hands in the air, waiting to ask their questions. Their district Clay County Commissioner Alexandra Compere, Commission Chair Betsy Condon, and other county officials were offering answers as quickly as they asked. 

“How much does this cost?” 

“How do you get this job?” 

“How much does the sweeper hold?” 

These second-graders are part of a first in Clay County — and it all started with an idea — and a street sweeper. 

A long-awaited street sweeper is finally on Clay County’s fleet. It was a much-anticipated addition —  the loud, vacuum-type truck helps make the county’s roads safer, it reduces road debris that could cause tire damage, and improves the stormwater quality, and that helps improve the county’s waterways.

The addition to Public Works’ fleet was indeed a welcome one. 

There are quite a few elementary schools near the sweeper’s main route, and that gave the county’s Public Works leaders an idea to get the county’s youngest residents involved in their local government and learn in the process. 

That idea? Name the street sweeper. 

So, the county’s Communications Office sent out educational information on the sweeper and an all-call to name the sweeper to the schools. 

Clay County’s students are impressive — with names like Lil’ Scrubby, The Sweeper-ella Express, Sweeptimus Prime, and other fantastic, creative ideas, selecting a name wasn’t easy! 

But, in the end, one took the top spot: Sweep Dreams. 

Melissa Neely explained how her second graders ‘dreamed’ up the winning name. “They were under the impression that it swept at night, because they have never seen one during the day,” she said. 

“We’ve been changing letters out in words to make new words, so just replacing different letters, so I was just like, let’s just replace the T and the P, and and then Sweep Dreams, and they just thought it was fantastic and they were like ‘yes, put that one in!’.” 

“We think we can make a real impact on the environment, make sure we collect enough trash that it makes a difference,” said Clay County Commission Chair Betsy Condon, “This is one of my favorite things that we’ve gotten to do so far this year. These are such great events. Partnering with our school district is so important.” 

“I love the littles, and this is a unique opportunity for their worlds to collide with civic government, and they got to participate, which is so important for them to learn this early,” said Clay County Commissioner Alexandra Compere, “They were so enthusiastic, so excited. It did my heart so much good.” 

After some good questions and answers, and lessons on their local government, the kids got a quick popsicle break, and signed a poster board of the design that is now gracing the new street sweeper - with their winning name. 

“You can keep the board!” said Tynes Elementary Sarah Brennan,  to cheers of excitement, “Yeah, you get to keep it! In your classroom!” 

Then, the newly-named ‘Sweep Dreams’ rolled off with one piece of civic service already under its belt.

Or, rather, bristles.