Annual Garden Club of Cape Coral Merit Award winners announced
The 2016 Marty Ward Memorial Merit Awards were presented to four Cape Coral High School seniors – Justin Battig, Laura Eng, Arthur Jumalon and Tyler Mitchell – at the May 11 meeting of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.
Marty Ward (1928-2016) was a co-founder and long-time advisor of the club who passed away on Jan. 16, 2016.
For more than 50 years, Ward held offices and positions in various organizations related to gardening and floral design throughout Lee County, continually encouraging, inspiring and helping others to discover the joys of gardening and floral art.
All of the 2016 recipients, students in the International Baccalaur-eate Program, have studied environmental science and are members of the Global Studies Club, with at least two years of volunteer participation in maintaining the Bella Verde Farm on-campus garden project.
The awards were established as a civic project after success with a major fundraiser – Garden Club of Cape Coral’s March in the Park, a juried vendor show and sale, held annually at Jaycee Park since March 2009. This year’s awards bring the total number of awards presented to eligible high school seniors since 2011 to 25 awards, ranging in individual amounts from $250 to $750.
In addition to Cape Coral High students, through the years awards have been earned by students participating in environmental programs at Ida Baker, Island Coast, Mariner and Oasis Charter high schools.
The purpose of the awards is to assist worthy students to further their education in areas related to environmental studies, environmental science or horticulture.
Each year, in January, applications are distributed through the club and to high schools attended by Cape Coral residents. Applicants must demonstrate an active and ongoing interest and participation in environmental and/or horticulture issues. Both classroom and extra-curricular experience, including work and volunteer activitys, are considered in the award committee’s evaluation process.
Seniors with appropriate eligibility for the 2016-17 school year are invited to inquire about the Garden Club of Cape Coral merit award application process through their science/environmental studies teachers or the award and scholarship coordinator at their school.
The Garden Club of Cape Coral meets on the second Wednesday of each month, September through May, at the Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Park Blvd.
A social gathering starts at 7 p.m., with the meeting at 7:30 p.m., followed by a garden/horticulture related program presented by a guest speaker. Guests are always welcome!
For more information, please contact Membership Chair Sue Lawson, 239-282-2328 or visit www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com