Growing Together: How Endeavor Elementary Students Are Cultivating a Greener Future

Five years ago, some curious students noticed Instructional Aide Karen Bates pulling a few weeds around the school’s playground. After asking what she was doing, and finding out that she loved gardening, they asked if they could help. From there, the Endeavor Garden Club has blossomed into a vibrant space for both plants and friendships.

The club, which now boasts 12 enthusiastic members, is currently cultivating a variety of plants in the school’s garden, including strawberries, tomatoes, two types of mint, a rosebush, clematis and a butterfly bush. The garden is not just a place for plants to thrive. It’s also where students come together to help pollinators, learn and share their gardening knowledge and socialize - all while beautifying the school. Bates fondly recalls the early days of the club, saying, "Not only did the garden grow, but so did friendships, which is such a beautiful sight to see!"

Principal LeAnna Webber also highlights the significance of the club, stating, "Endeavor's Garden Club is something special that students look forward to every year. It allows them to learn from one of our talented staff members all about how to keep a garden thriving almost all year long. They learn about selecting plants, weeding, feeding and watering, as well as how to attract pollinators and birds to the area. We use the garden as a way to honor people who have passed away, as well."

The impact of the garden club extends beyond the plants. It has become a place where students form lasting bonds and learn valuable life skills. Jenna Dunkerly, one of the club members, shared her excitement, "Mrs. Bates is amazing. She’s so nice and garden club is so much fun. Gardening in general is fun." 

Arin Kaushik echoes this sentiment, saying, "The reason I joined is because I love Ms. Bates and wanted to join an afterschool club."

Audrey Davis, a fifth-grader, echoes the popular opinions about Bates. “I like pulling weeds," she added, explaining how club members team up to tackle the tougher ones. "I think the garden is pretty amazing." 

Molly Pace, who has been a member for two years, adds, "Mrs. Bates, of course,” when asked why she joined the club. “I like planting things and seeing how they turn out. My favorite thing we’ve planted is the rose bush because I like the flowers."

Bates smiled broadly when asked about the students’ involvement in the club, humorously noting, "Sometimes students will make a human wall in front of the garden during recess so that balls won’t go in and damage the plants." She is also pleased that the interest in gardening is not limited to the school grounds.

Katherine Farler gardens at home with her father and enjoys bringing her skills to Endeavor. Kaelyn Hellyer agreed, saying, "I garden a lot at home. It’s fun to be here, gardening with my friends." 

Looking ahead, the garden club has exciting plans for the future. A former Endeavor student has plans to build more raised beds and expand the garden over the summer for his Eagle Scout project. 

Webber is excited about the club's contributions to the school's exterior. "The garden club plants and maintains our Giving Garden near the playground, as well as planters in the front and around our school sign. Their work pays off in so many ways and helps keep Endeavor's exterior beautiful!"

What began as a simple act of weeding has grown into a cherished tradition at Endeavor. Thanks to the dedication of Mrs. Bates and her budding gardeners, the garden continues to flourish—rooted in learning, friendship, and community spirit.