What’s recently happened?
Hanover Central High School's Environmental/Garden Club has honorably been active in enlivening the school environment throughout May. Led by Teacher Crystal Harrigan-Barry, this club is working towards designating its space as a wildlife pollinator sanctuary.
“We aim to support local Northwest Indiana species with our plantings,” said Harrigan-Barry.
The club’s origins stem from the efforts on the part of a former biology teacher’s environmental club, which emphasized recycling, and a group of veteran teachers who were fervent gardeners, particularly about the school’s courtyard.
Unfortunately, the space ended up uncared for, so Harrigan-Barry realized she had to step up.
“It started to aggravate me because it’s such a beautiful space and has such potential for the students to utilize,” said Harrigan-Barry.
Reflecting on the club memories, Harrigan-Barry recalls a duck nesting in the courtyard. This duck was able to blend in and thrive.
“The courtyard was open and kids knew just to leave the duck alone. She felt safe and nobody would ever bother her,” said Harrigan-Barry.
Eventually, ducklings came. When the duck was ready to move them, she would make it known. The janitors would then put up barriers for her. This led to a duck release day.
Recently Harrigan-Barry was passing by the school and was reminded of the past.
“I saw a male mallard,” she said.
The ducks may come back after all.
Further, the club has allowed the school courtyard to reopen at the start of May. Senior students were able to enjoy their lunch outside when the weather permitted it, a privilege they did not have for some time.
“This year we worked a lot with the Student Council. They were generous and purchased the tables and benches out of their funds for us for the courtyard. That was a joint move,” said Harrigan-Barry.
Harrigan-Barry invites her classes to maintain the courtyard.
“I have rarely seen students not get invested in working in the courtyard,” said Harrigan-Barry.
The club has created a love for plants in the school community. This was illustrated by the successful aloe vera plant sale during student resource time in the second week of May. Though the plants were not priced, contributions were encouraged to support a fundraiser to improve the school’s landscaping.
Harrigan-Barry remarked that it is scientifically proven that plants lighten people’s moods. Hence, bit by bit, the school halls are filling up with greenery.
“Indoor plants are super low maintenance and easily propagated. For the outside it is important to focus on native species and the color and scent so that it becomes a pleasant sensory experience,” said Harrigan-Barry.
She elaborates on how there is a good group of kids helping her out to keep the club running, especially when it comes to the environmental aspect.
“Recycling pickup is kind of boring. It’s not glamorous, but the students legitimately like what they’re doing. I think it makes them feel good to do something on a larger scale” said Harrigan-Barry.
Looking forward, the club plans to stay active.
“We have been asked by the superintendent to redesign and clean the memorial at the front of the school,” said Harrigan-Barry.
What’s coming up?
Summer is at long last near. The time of lethargy and rest is set to begin. Still, the school community upholds the notion that meaningful activities should transpire even during times of rest.
There are highlights: seniors are set to graduate on June 2. The ceremony is set to begin at 2 p.m. Each senior was handed 10 tickets to welcome their own guests to the event. This is a salutation to the students' years of hard work and commitment.
In addition to this, summer classes are set to occur with the coming of June. This allows students to have a convenient option to fulfill school requirements. Likewise, many students choose to take this opportunity to have the chance for different courses later throughout the school year.
Beyond this, the school’s clubs and sports teams plan to meet during the summer to proceed mindfully in preparation for the following school year.
Furthermore, it can be expected that the school’s facilities will be improved and pushed through general maintenance. All this will allow for a prosperous future learning environment.
Staff spotlight:
Crystal Harrigan-Barry is the AP English teacher at Hanover Central who runs the Environmental/Garden Club. Still, her career path was originally paved differently.
“I had always planned to be a veterinarian,” Harrigan-Barry shared.
When that path did not work out, she followed her passions instead.
“My hobby, as long as I can remember, has always been reading books,” said Harrigan-Barry.
In turn, her enthusiasm for literature serves to energize her classroom.
“I want my students to be able to think critically and to be able to explore their emotions. There is nothing better than being able to look at the next generation and say that it is going to be okay given all the cynicism in the world. Books help us work through that,” said Harrigan-Barry.
She has remained with the Hanover Central community since her early beginnings as a teacher. Gardening has also been particularly valuable to her.
“I like the idea of absolute and utter sustainability. Nourishing my soil, feeding my family, and composting, it becomes this whole circle,” said Harrigan-Barry.
Aside from teaching and gardening, Harrigan-Barry enjoys cooking and baking. She enjoys almost all hands-on activities.
Henceforth, Harrigan-Barry also takes pleasure in refinishing furniture; she enjoys fixing things.
“I’m a student at heart, so it ends up being a big game for me,” said Harrigan-Barry.
Harrigan-Barry stands as a source of positivity within the halls of Hanover. She is guided by the following words: “Leave it better than you found it.”
Student spotlight:
Neva Zamudio, a current senior, is dutifully involved in the Environmental/Garden Club. She is integral to the club given that she has been active for the past two years here.
Even though joining the club was a means at simply doing a form of community service, Zamudio’s frequent engagement with the club has allowed her to be an official member.
“The first two meetings I got the hours, but then I needed to join,” said Zamudio.
Zamudio is active in both recycling and helping out in taking care of the school’s natural landscape.
“I do like gardening. I like being outside. Recently, we mulched the courtyard and put in different flowers,” said Zamudio.
Zamudio is most active in helping the club out during student resource time. She is proud of the fact that the club utilized two total fundraisers, and, with the help of another club, managed to make the courtyard a welcoming space.
“I was proud when we were able to buy picnic tables for the courtyard,” Zamudio recalled.
Aside from the Environmental/Garden Club, Zamudio engages in other service clubs. She is the historian for the school’s National Honor Society. Additionally, she is the Class of 2024 representative for Key Club, a club she has been a part of for three years.
“Doing service work has always been a part of who I am,” said Zamudio.
Zamudio notes her creative talents. She has engaged in theatre by being on the crew; she helped to build sets for the performances. She has multitudes of memories on set.
“I liked going to Buffalo Wild Wings after the Sunday performances,” said Zamudio.
Creativity remains rooted within her spirit. She is passionate about photography.
“I also sew. I sewed stuffed animals and hemmed my prom dress,” said Zamudio.
Zamudio is an avid reader and enjoys fiction. She is also active physically. Her sport of choice is tennis.
“I have been playing tennis since middle school,” said Zamudio.
She is on the school tennis team. Recently, her team competed against three other schools in Illiana High School. This was the team’s first junior varsity (JV) competition.
Now looking towards her plans, Zamudio plans to study psychology at Purdue University West Lafayette. She hopes to continue pursuing service work there, along with tennis in her free time.