Every year, the Rochester Garden Club works in concert with the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester to fund college scholarships for exceptional students who will be studying in environmental or horticultural fields. “These are just the sort of students we like to support,” said Susan Gerrits, chair of the Education Committee of the Rochester Garden Club. “Our club is dedicated to promoting environmental education and we hope that our scholarship award of $1500 will help them reach their goals.”
This year, Ava Ubaydi, a graduate of Stoney Creek High School will receive the award. She is pursuing a major in environmental policy at Loyola University Chicago and hopes to become an urban planner. “I chose this because sustainability has always been something that is very important to me. I believe it is critical that sustainability is implemented into policy and infrastructure to make a difference,” said Ava. Her decision was influenced by her architecture teacher, Mrs. Davis who showed her what urban planners can achieve and how they can influence big decisions that affect sustainability. When she graduates from Loyola, she hopes to work in either a city government or with the federal government to help cities find smart solutions to climate problems.
The Rochester Garden Club funds these scholarships with the profits from two annual fund-raising events. The Rochester Garden Walk is held this year on June 17, and the Gifts and Greens Market on December 2, 3 and 4. This annual event is a pop-up holiday market featuring hand-made arrangements, fresh greens, baked goods and unique gifts. It will be held at the Rochester Administration Building.
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