By Lee Ann Huntington, Dedicated Grounds Committee Leader
My heart is very full of gratitude, affection and pride as I think about how much we accomplished at George Washington High School yesterday. We planted 15 gorgeous trees of several species (Kentucky Coffeetree, Redbud, Gingko, Filbert, Horse Chestnut). We completely made over the”Leetsdale Wall” by clearing out all the unattractive shrubs and weeds, regrading and planting sumac shrubs which will grow to be beautiful against the stone wall with the George name on it. We also transformed the appearance of the pool wall facing the tennis courts; we planted 5 Kentucky Coffee trees, which will become 50 feet tall with dramatic branch structure. And we completed the crusher fines deposits along all the paths in the community garden.
And . . . . we did it in the mud and snow. (Prizes for most mud-covered go to Martha Tucker and Jon Gottesfeld!) I know it was unpleasant for every one of you to get out of bed yesterday to face the elements, but you did it with grace and commitment. Your attitude was a wonderful example to the 60 students who also came and who will proudly remember what they accomplished so cheerfully in the wet and cold.
Some specific acknowledgements:
The Denver Office of Forestry donated the amazing, huge trees (wait until you all see those redbuds in bloom!); DPS Grounds did so much to prepare the sites (thank you Efren and team); the wonderfully supportive George administration facilitated planning and student recruitment - Scott Lessard inspired and supported our designs and projects, Dr. Waters shoveled all morning and Alyssa Richason did registration and pizza and handed out the really lovely t-shirts that the Grow Club designed (I love them!); the George facilities team obtained and moved mulch all morning; Mr. Lopez came again - teaching a little practical biology as he wielded a pickaxe! Senior Gigi Emerson was the coldest person out there as she kept track of the tools while having to stay in one place.
Local company 2U sent 20 volunteers led by Elizabeth Weintraub; these adults were phenomenal - finishing one project and then asking “What next? What next?” and interacting so positively with the students. Since the 2U mission is educational - partnering with universities to provide digital education platforms - it was particularly lovely that 2U gave such great support to our large public high school, with many aspiring college students.
And then, how about those firemen! They provided excitement and an amazing amount of manual labor!
The planning process for the annual GO GREEN events is months-long and the GW Grounds Committee was there every step of the way in the preparation and execution - thank you Lisa, Barb, Jana, Steve, Martha, Ann, Roxana, Susan, and Jon. Particularly heartwarming to me are the loyal friends who showed up to contribute their expertise and leadership many years after their student has graduated - Martha, Ann, Sara, Mark, Ross, Jennifer, Susan and Michael. The Grounds Committee is like The Firm - once you are in, you can never safely escape.
And thank you to the intrepid family members, parents and, of course, the students who came through yesterday, despite the conditions. You are true troopers!
I apologize that I do not have the name of every person that helped, but I send appreciation nevertheless.
My heart is very full of gratitude, affection and pride as I think about how much we accomplished at George Washington High School yesterday. We planted 15 gorgeous trees of several species (Kentucky Coffeetree, Redbud, Gingko, Filbert, Horse Chestnut). We completely made over the”Leetsdale Wall” by clearing out all the unattractive shrubs and weeds, regrading and planting sumac shrubs which will grow to be beautiful against the stone wall with the George name on it. We also transformed the appearance of the pool wall facing the tennis courts; we planted 5 Kentucky Coffee trees, which will become 50 feet tall with dramatic branch structure. And we completed the crusher fines deposits along all the paths in the community garden.
And . . . . we did it in the mud and snow. (Prizes for most mud-covered go to Martha Tucker and Jon Gottesfeld!) I know it was unpleasant for every one of you to get out of bed yesterday to face the elements, but you did it with grace and commitment. Your attitude was a wonderful example to the 60 students who also came and who will proudly remember what they accomplished so cheerfully in the wet and cold.
Some specific acknowledgements:
The Denver Office of Forestry donated the amazing, huge trees (wait until you all see those redbuds in bloom!); DPS Grounds did so much to prepare the sites (thank you Efren and team); the wonderfully supportive George administration facilitated planning and student recruitment - Scott Lessard inspired and supported our designs and projects, Dr. Waters shoveled all morning and Alyssa Richason did registration and pizza and handed out the really lovely t-shirts that the Grow Club designed (I love them!); the George facilities team obtained and moved mulch all morning; Mr. Lopez came again - teaching a little practical biology as he wielded a pickaxe! Senior Gigi Emerson was the coldest person out there as she kept track of the tools while having to stay in one place.
Local company 2U sent 20 volunteers led by Elizabeth Weintraub; these adults were phenomenal - finishing one project and then asking “What next? What next?” and interacting so positively with the students. Since the 2U mission is educational - partnering with universities to provide digital education platforms - it was particularly lovely that 2U gave such great support to our large public high school, with many aspiring college students.
And then, how about those firemen! They provided excitement and an amazing amount of manual labor!
The planning process for the annual GO GREEN events is months-long and the GW Grounds Committee was there every step of the way in the preparation and execution - thank you Lisa, Barb, Jana, Steve, Martha, Ann, Roxana, Susan, and Jon. Particularly heartwarming to me are the loyal friends who showed up to contribute their expertise and leadership many years after their student has graduated - Martha, Ann, Sara, Mark, Ross, Jennifer, Susan and Michael. The Grounds Committee is like The Firm - once you are in, you can never safely escape.
And thank you to the intrepid family members, parents and, of course, the students who came through yesterday, despite the conditions. You are true troopers!
I apologize that I do not have the name of every person that helped, but I send appreciation nevertheless.