Chesterton High School juniors, Emma Bolinger, Kameryn Hipp, Emily Nixon, have chosen a fresh vegetable garden as a CAS service project for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. A CAS project is a collaborative, well-considered series of sequential CAS experiences, engaging students in one or more of the CAS strands of creativity, activity, and service.
These students started working on their project, but are hoping to continue efforts after they graduate in 2022. “Our goal is to grow fresh produce throughout the summer and donate it all to the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry in Chesterton,” said Bolinger.
The students are also working with Purdue Extension, who has given them a grant of four garden boxes. “Terri Saltzman, NEP Community Wellness coordinator from Purdue, has provided lots of help along the way and connected us to the Master Gardeners grant,” said Bolinger. The students applied for this Master Gardeners grant and received $300 for supplies for their project.
Now that the weather is getting nicer, the students are hoping to get the outside seeds planted soon in the school’s courtyard. They will be maintaining the garden throughout the summer with the help of the school administration and teacher/supervisor Mrs. Cassie Wallace and volunteers.
Above photo, left, Principal Brent Martinson along with Marty Serocznski from Porter County Master Gardener present CHS junior IB students, left to right, Kameryn Hipp, Emily Nixon and Emma Bolinger with a check for $300 for supplies for their IB gardening project. (Masks were removed momentarily to obtain a photo of the event)