Biology teacher Stephanie Morgan has spearheaded the effort to create the school’s own garden which will be located north of the student parking lot in between the two houses.
“It’s been something I wanted to do since Perry started,” Morgan stated.
The dream was realized as a possibility a year ago when a student pitched Morgan the idea of a flower garden for her school project. This sparked inspiration in Morgan to finally create a garden for the Puma community.
“That’s what really got the ball rolling,” Morgan said.
Different clubs and classes around campus will use the garden. The culinary department, FACES, the Ecology club and many of the biology teachers will be using this garden to teach and collect resources from. Special education advisor Heidi Peek will also bring her students into the garden to teach lessons about life.
“Our kids are going to water the garden, weed the garden, and whatever chores need to be done,” Peek stated. “They will feel fulfilled being able to actually be a part of planting and watching things grow.”
While there are no set plans yet, the garden plans consist of a wide array of vegetables and herbs for use around campus. The culinary department plans to use these vegetables and herbs to cook, while biology classes plan to utilize them to teach about the anatomy of plants.
When asked about the garden’s progress, junior Eric Suarez stated, “the garden’s coming along fine. We haven’t planted anything yet; we have just put down the bedding.”
Morgan is unsure when the garden will be completed; saying the schedule to help with the garden is “spotty.” As of right now the garden is behind schedule.
“We need more funding and more helping hands,” Morgan explained.
However, there is strong incentive for students to come and help. Students who do so will receive community service hours for use in college scholarships and the National Honors Society.
“We welcome anybody,” Morgan said.
Furthermore, if the garden and its affiliates grow too many vegetables, Morgan plans to donate them to the Chandler Care Center.
“We have already established a relationship with the Chandler Care Center,” Morgan explained. “Every Thursday they hand out fresh fruit and vegetables to people who can’t afford their groceries.”
If more students come and help create this community garden, it will be finished and running much quicker. Morgan explained that students can work “whenever [students] want to work and a teacher wants to be out there with them.”
Students are highly encouraged to volunteer and help make the garden a success.