The Gorham High School (GHS) Eco Club is buzzing with activity. They have been bringing environmental awareness to the Gorham community through a variety of unique activities this past spring.
The club recently organized a school-wide ocean-themed art contest aimed at encouraging oceanic preservation. This contest is held by the club annually with a different theme each year. All art forms are eligible and students as well as staff are encouraged to participate.
Eco Club member and GHS senior Tatiana Jonk outlined the intent behind the contest: “Our goal was to start an annual art contest where students and staff members were able to share their love for art, while being eco-friendly.”
The submission period officially closed on May 6 with residents of Gorham House and GHS community members voting on the winner. Jonk won the competition while Beekeeping Club advisor and GHS English teacher Catherine Paul came in second and GHS senior Brooke Phillips in third.
Photo credit Rachael GradyGorham High School students working on a pollinator garden in Robie Park as part of the Eco Club and Beekeeping Club effort.
The Eco and Beekeeping Clubs teamed up to build a pollinator garden in Robie Park this past May as a part of the Green Care curriculum at GHS. Students organized two building sessions and were guided by representatives from the Gorham Rec Department.
Gorham Rec also provided students with tools from the Department’s ‘Squirrel Shed.’ The garden’s construction was supported by a $250 grant from the Gorham Education Foundation.
Eco Club advisor and GHS Social Studies teacher Rachael Grady expressed the importance of having a pollinator garden in Robie Park.
“Honey bee hives will be located in Robie Park, and the need for nearby nectar decided the pollinator garden’s placement. We are looking forward to seeing all the perennials bloom and hope people will stop to smell the flowers on their way through the park,” said Grady.
With Robie Park being so close to GHS, students will be able to work on and visit the garden regularly. Grady stated that “being outdoors has numerous benefits for people, which we all experienced firsthand during mask breaks, and is supported with a mountain of data on social/emotional development.”
“Gardens are not only eye candy but they also provide many benefits for our whole ecosystem,” said Beekeeping Club founder Phillips. “Having bees on campus is an amazing honor. Both the Eco Club and Beekeeping Club are making many efforts to make sure that this is one experience that will indeed educate and pollinate.”
The pollinator garden is filled with perennials meant to attract pollinators, particularly honeybees. Visitors will be able to see a variety of plants bloom throughout the year, an intentional decision meant to ensure a sustainable source of pollen.
Jonk emphasized the importance of education as a part of the Eco Club’s overall mission. “We are trying to educate individuals that we can reduce, reuse, and recycle. Any way that we can educate the community on why it’s important to be eco-friendly we go forth with it.”