The NUBS hosted a beautiful garden party on Friday, October 27, 2017 at Oneco Elementary School in Bradenton, Florida. NUBS stands for Never Underestimate Brave Students, a group focused on volunteerism. Their motto: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
The garden is a community project. An old garden was torn out and re-planted by Enza Zaden – and new supplies including soil were donated by Manasota Elks #2734 and several local churches including Oneco United Methodist, Living Lord Lutheran and Woodland Community Church.
Some of those community members joined students for the luncheon, which included soup, salad, cobbler and ice cream. Other guests included representatives from Keep Manatee Beautiful, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, and Annette Codelia, one of the District’s Executive Directors of Elementary Education.
Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene was the special guest speaker at the event. She spoke of the importance of working together to strengthen our community. Dr. Greene also praised the students for their hard work – and reminded them to be thankful to those who help them succeed.
Assistant Technology Teacher, Marie Mueller, is one of the NUBS’ co-advisors. She and fellow teacher, Gretchen Hatton, have led the NUBS throughout the growth of their garden project. Later this year, the NUBS will host a group of disabled veterans for an event called “Blankets for Veterans” in which they assemble no-sew blankets for residents of Bay Pines Healthcare System.
To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow. -Audrey Hepburn
New Principal Ronnie King thanked all of the NUBS and members of the school’s Garden Club for their hard work. He also showed his appreciation to volunteers who give their valued time to the school and his students. Oneco Elementary was recently named a “Green School” by Keep Manatee Beautiful for their environmental efforts.
After the luncheon, Dr. Greene, guests and students gathered together for an official ribbon cutting at Oneco Elementary’s new garden.
ABC 7 reporter Bobeth Yates also featured the new garden for a story which aired on the evening news. To watch, please click the photo below.
#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.
