The garden beds at the front entrance of Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts & Humanities were replanted this fall by students, with support from New Leaf Nursery. Hundreds of bulbs and perennials will bloom in the spring and decorate the front of the school with color.

“I’m excited because you can’t tell right now, but I got a lot of really bright lime colored leaves,” said New Leaf Nursery production greenhouse manager Dr. Brianna Whitman. “It's gonna be really bright and shiny.”

Sorensen partnered with New Leaf Nursery through the Artist in Residence program to educate students about gardening, pollinators and plant life cycles through hands-on learning. Plant specialist and educator at New Leaf Nursery Jennifer Colburn led educational projects for the students, while Whitman planned the garden.

The garden consists of three separate beds totaling approximately 500 square feet. The crown jewel of the garden is a Hearts of Gold redbud tree planted in honor of late Sorensen student Benji Stribling. The tree will shelter a "Buddy Bench," which is funded through a Rotary Club grant and will be installed in the spring.

“The bench is being designed with feedback from his classmates. They put together what their memories are and their favorite things about Benji,” said Sorensen arts director Anne Mitchell.“It’s a place where you know you can sit and find friendship.”

The garden is truly the result of student effort. Colburn said first and second grade students planted the bulbs while fourth and fifth grade students planted the perennials. Students worked in groups of two and placed a yellow label in the dirt with their names next to their plants.

“They have ownership of this plant that they can watch grow and mature,” Colburn said. “I can see the students that planted these coming back year after year to visit their plant.”

Fifth-grade student Reid Jachetta said he looks forward to watching his plant grow.

“I really liked planting the plants for Benji,” Jachetta said. “I learned about ecosystems and soil, and how roots need air to grow.”

On Friday, Nov. 6, Sorensen held an unveiling ceremony for students and parents to admire the hard work that went into the garden. Students also had the opportunity to show off some of the art projects they completed during the program for their classmates.

Students created butterfly, caterpillar and bee house art while learning about the roles of pollinators in the garden.

“We decided it was important to us to educate the children on the dirt that they were working with,” Colburn said. “New Leaf was very happy to come alongside Sorensen to plan something cool and also to have a featured tree for this young man who passed away.”

    Sorensen students Barron Moos, Hazley Tonna, Denali Hoston, Wilson Sinclair, Forrest Roberts, and Leo Nivison in front of the new garden on Nov. 6
  

    Sorensen students assemble to celebrate the completion of the garden and share their art projects on Friday, Nov. 6.
  

    New Leaf Nursery plant specialist Jennifer Colburn and production greenhouse manager Dr. Brianna Whitman in front of the new garden at Sorensen.