Westosha students hope to help feeder schools

Westosha Gardens planned for inaugural Leading into the Future class

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Westosha Central’s inaugural Leading into the Future class has launched a community service project that promotes healthy eating, and hopes for an opportunity to educate students at area feeder schools.

Westosha Gardens is a grassroots effort by more than 20 juniors and seniors with a mission to grow organic fruits and vegetables on raised beds – donating them to area feeder schools in the summer.

Emily Jones
Emily Jones

The project excites junior Emily Jones, noting her passion for healthy eating, and is a reminder of early years in Bristol.

“I have always wanted to do a garden, even when I was really young,” Jones said. “I went to Bristol Grade School and I always wanted to do it.”

Jones said while her earlier plans did not materialize, she noted that as she got older, her vision became clearer.

“I feel like the environment is a much bigger issue, the environment lasts forever, whereas, we are only here for a little bit,” Jones said.

However, the vision is in need of funding to offset expenses of constructing raised beds, and planting the first seeds.

As of Monday, the project has gathered nearly 50 percent of the funds projected, set at $1,000.

Enter junior Gage Reynolds, whose role is business projections and marketing efforts geared towards gathering more funds.

Gage Reynolds
Gage Reynolds

Reynolds plans to reach out to other student organizations at Westosha Central High School and add a slide to the school marquee inside and outside the school.

Additionally, a fundraising effort centered around a 5K run is in the works, according to senior Julia Jester.

When finished, the future leaders plan to deliver 4-6 beds to each participating school that expect to hold summer classes, educating students on the importance of healthy eating and environmental safety.

“We want to be able to serve all of the feeder schools that come into (Central High), and maybe Wilmot schools, if we enough coming in,” Jester said.

Feeder schools include, but not limited to, Wheatland Center School, Paris/Brighton School District, Bristol Grade School, Salem Grade School.

Julia Jester
Julia Jester

Jester said the class is prepared to volunteer their time once school dismisses for the summer, noting at least 10 students are on board.

“We will definitely have enough people to volunteer,” Jester said.

Westosha Central teacher Tyson Mengel, who instructs the class, said “these are a great group of kids.”

How to help…
Donate at the organizations GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/2yj9zeus
Additional information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/westosha.gardens/

The full story appears in the May 6 edition of the Westosha Report


Posted

in

,

by

Tags: