4-Her Goes for Gold!

Manassas Patch Post- June 11, 2011

Girl Scout Gold Makes Butterfly Project a Reality at Weems
Posted by Cindy Brookshire


In June, Rachel Higgins will finish launching a project that will bring her one step closer to earning Girl Scouting’s highest achievement, the Gold Award. The 16-year-old Osbourn High School student’s project – a courtyard butterfly garden at Weems Elementary School in the City of Manassas – has already captured the imagination of the school’s future scientists.

Originally, the garden was the brainstorm of Weems art teacher LeeAnn Brannon, whose quest to find public grant money was turned down. In stepped community volunteer, Jill Spall. Spall’s Community Advisory and School Engagement Group (CASE) works to connect city public schools with the community at large. Her goal is to form partnerships that will take on stalled educational projects and make them happen. Jill connected Brannon with the Higgins family, including Jack, Arlene and their daughter, Rachel.

“It was perfect. I love Weems,” says Rachel. “I was a student there for six years. It was a project ready to adopt, and I would be giving back.”

Rachel submitted her proposal, based on Brannon’s idea, to the Girl Scout Council of the National Capital Area (GSCNC). The project would meet both the requirements of the Gold Award process and the school’s standards of learning objectives. Their joint goal was to transform a bare, unused courtyard into a colorful mini-laboratory for environmental science, citizen science, butterfly biology, identification, habitats and monitoring. After several revisions, reported Diana Pethtel, Membership Development Specialist for Association 90 at GSCNC’s Manassas office, Rachel’s project was approved.

Rachel solicited support from local businesses and individuals. She formed a garden construction crew that involved members of her Senior/Cadette Troop 1379 and beyond. She also volunteered after school to teach Weems science club members what she learned through the resources of Prince William 4-H and Project Butterfly WINGS – that butterflies are the best way to begin to study the world of insects because they aren’t strange or threatening. In fact, many scientists began their careers with an interest in butterflies.

“Besides the butterfly garden, the courtyard now has an herb garden planted by the science club, a water fountain, a rock garden and sand sculpture, an arbor, and various other plants,” says Rachel. “The students can study real plants. The herbs can be used in cooking and to learn about the senses. It also gives a beautiful place for learning and to inspire creativity.”

The garden was unveiled during the Weems Art Fair on May 23. Students were excited to show off their garden to their parents. Proceeds from the fair purchased picnic tables for the courtyard. Additional donations are welcome.

“Most of the plants are perennials and should return, year after year,” added Arlene Higgins. “We hope the Weems community continues to care for the garden, and Rachel’s committed to being a part of that.”

Rachel’s summer adventure is attending a USDA-sponsored Veterinary Ag-Discovery program at Fort Valley State University in Georgia, June 20-July 1. Jill Spall is winding down two other CASE projects.

“Our goal is to continue to help public schools find wider success by partnering with the community,” said Spall.