As the school year begins to wind down, students are reflecting on the last few months and what it took to get to where they are today.

For students like Carson Vien, the biggest challenge for his junior year has been learning virtually and staying motivated.

On Wednesday morning, he’s in a classroom. But these kinds of gatherings have been at a premium over the last few months.

While the pandemic has limited in-person activities for Vien and his classmates at Scotia-Glenville High School, it did offer them an opportunity to take on a service project. Over the last few weeks, about 30 students from two business clubs have been working together to rake, pull weed and plant.


What You Need To Know

  • Students have built a memorial garden to honor members of the school and community affected by the pandemic

  • They say it’s a way to remember those who passed away, got sick and made sacrifices to make this school year possible

  • During the next school year, students are hoping to add a sign and some benches to the garden

“We actually missed out on our class field trip this year, so we thought this would be a good replacement to focus on business,” Vien said.

Instead, money for a fundraiser earlier this year was used to build a memorial garden to honor members of the school and community affected by the pandemic. It’s a way to remember those who passed away, got sick, and all the sacrifices made by everyone to make this school year possible.

“By doing this, it shines a light for people who survived or people who have lost loved ones with COVID,” said Decillius Blankenship, a senior.

Using business lessons learned from classes, these students formed committees and went to work to make this service project possible.

Planning started in February and culminated to shovels hitting the ground last month.

“Just a reminder and a reflection in terms of how much sacrifice that they had to make this year in order to make it a successful school year,” said Theresa Carr, a teacher at the high school.

While seniors will walk across the stage in a few weeks, those returning next year hope to add a sign and some benches to this area. They hope future generations will continue to care for it, and remember those affected by the pandemic.