VHS Memorial Courtyard Is a Place for Learning and Creating

Back in March, it was finally time to put a grant we received last summer from the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils into action. The plan was to transform the Valley Head School Memorial Courtyard into a pollinator garden and outdoor learning space. As work began, it quickly became clear that this project was about much more than planting and picnic tables — it was about students, community, and creating something meaningful that will serve the school for years to come.

The courtyard is now a space where students can plant, explore, read, draw, observe pollinators, and learn outside the classroom. From the beginning, I wanted this project to stay local, and thanks to the people who stepped up to help, it truly became a community effort.

One of the first groups to jump in was Cameron Mitchell and the students in the Agribusiness Department. They built and painted 12 garden beds for the courtyard. Mitchell shared that the project brought out the best in his students, saying, “Normally around this time of year, students shut down, but this project made them really step up in ways I hadn’t seen before.” Watching students take ownership of the project and take pride in their work was one of the most rewarding parts of the process.

Clint Croxton of Soil n’ Green Native Plants and Landscaping helped choose several native plants that brought the garden to life. As a Valley Head graduate, he was excited to give back to a place that helped shape him. Special thanks also go to Victor Wood of Victor Wood Garden Design for sharing his expertise and vision, and to Kowen Worthey of KWorthey Excavation for helping prepare and improve the space. Thank you for letting my son drive your skid steer!

One of my favorite moments came when younger students were helping plant flowers and discovered a monarch caterpillar resting on a milkweed leaf. It was a simple moment, but it perfectly captured what this garden is all about — giving students opportunities to connect with nature through firsthand experiences.

This project would not have been possible without the support of the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, our local businesses, volunteers, teachers, and students. The Pollinator Paradise Garden Project is a reflection of what can happen when a community comes together to invest in its school, and I can’t wait to see how students use and enjoy the space for years to come.