Comptroller Peter Franchot discusses Victory Garden with KC Middle School students Isaiah, Lauren, Christian and Taliah, with Harvey looking on.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot presented Sabine Harvey with the first Maryland Golden Apple award for her creation of and unceasing work for Kent County’s Middle School’s Victory Garden.
Franchot said that the award recipients were the, “unsung heroes” who work within the Maryland public school system, and that we owe the volunteers a huge debt. There will be 24 awards given out this year, one in each county.
Also attending Thursday’s event were KC Middle School students who worked in the garden, principal Gary McCullogh, state delegate Jay Jacobs, school board members Bryan Williams, Michael Harvey and Brian Kirby, and Kent County Sheriff John Price.
McCullogh opened the ceremony by commending Harvey on her enthusiasm and her infectious and inspiring attitude in turning the garden into an outdoor classroom. Franchot told the assembled 7th graders, “..you guys are the future, and to, “..stay on the shore and raise families.”
KC Middle School principal McCullogh addresses 7th graders who worked in Victory Garden.
In accepting the award, Harvey, who is a Master Gardener and Horticulture Program Assistant at Kent County’s University of Maryland Extension office, said she couldn’t have done it without the help of teachers, and she credited social studies teacher Ed Stack in coming up with the idea of the garden.
Harvey also recognized Judy Gifford of St. Brigids Farm for her recent $5,000 donation (proceeds raised from their annual Field to Fork dinner), the Chestertown Optimists and Bramble Construction for running a water pipe, (no more bucket brigade), and Maria Hyson and the Washington College Habitat for Humanity students who helped build the garden.
School board member Michael Harvey perhaps had the best advice to students, “Figure out what you love to do and just do it.”
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