by Renee Malone
Special to the Tri-State Defender

The RISE Foundation of Memphis planted the seeds of opportunity for 10-year-old Jermyia Gladney. Before a recent outing, Gladney had not watered a flower, and now she’s a budding gardener.

After a visit to the Memphis Botanic Garden to learn about the environment and horticulture, students in the Rise Foundation’s summer transition camp planted a garden at Vance Middle School, which is the same neighborhood where most of the students live. (Photos by Kever Conyers)

Jermyia Gladney, 10, is a budding gardener thanks to a boost from the Rise Foundation’s summer transition program for rising 5th graders.

Gladney is one of a group of young participants in the Rise Foundation’s summer transition camp for rising 5th graders who will enter the Goal Card program in the fall.  The program assists students with financial literacy, goal setting and career planning by using prizes and other incentives for achievements.

As part of the summer camp, organizers took the students to the Memphis Botanic Garden to learn about the environment and horticulture.  And to strengthen the lesson, they had a visit from a representative of the Shelby County Agricultural Extension Services Office.   

“We learned about the plant circle of life and the importance of recycling,” said Sameka Johnson, a Goal Card coordinator.  “We also were told to care for the plants, while letting insects do their job.”

The students wrapped up the lesson by planting a garden at Vance Middle School, which is the same neighborhood where most of the students live.  For Jermyia, it gives her a sense of pride to know the petunias and African marigolds were placed and planted with her fingers.  

“We planted and we watered,” said Jermyia.  “And, we had to use gloves.”

Jermyia, who lives in Cleaborne Homes, said she can’t wait to plant a garden in her own backyard, just as soon as her family is able to move to a house.  “Now I know how to water plants and grow flowers by myself.”

For organizers, the lesson served its purpose in more way than one.  

“Students also learned the importance of keeping up the area where we are, to give something to our community,” said Johnson.