Participating in school activities like sports, dances, and clubs are a large part of the high school experience for many. After-school activities like these create new opportunities for students and chances to find new interests. Now a brand new opportunity has opened up in the high school scene this trimester with the new botany club.

Ella Retberg, a junior and the club founder, wanted to find a way to incorporate plant life into the school and got the idea of the club after taking the botany class offered here. Retberg was able to get in touch with the Principal Beel and after finding a supervising teacher and spreading enough information to students around the school by email and Eagle Eye, the club was officially created. 

Club members meet in Mrs. Calverley’s classroom. Any students are welcome to join at any time, no matter who they are or what they already know. No plant experience is necessary in order to join. Everything will be taught in the weekly meetings. All that Retberg asks is for students to bring themselves and “a good attitude.” With the help of Mrs. Calverley, the supervising teacher, club Members will work their way through plant life and how to properly take care of them. They'll do hands-on activities with planting new plants and help maintain the greenhouse and the additional plants that are handled around the school and in the community. 

“It’s a year long club with weekly meetings at 7:00AM on Thursdays and soon will be on Tuesdays as well,” Retberg said. There will also be additional hands-on activities and projects for students to participate in over the summer if interested. It’s not mandatory to attend every meeting, students are allowed to come and go as they please as it is a very laid back club. It’s created to make a relaxing environment for students, not add stress. 

Retburg mentioned the benefits plants have on people, very specifically the boost in moods. Scientific studies have actually shown that plants can make you happier. Research has shown that houseplants can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and can enhance people’s mood and mental state in a better way. Houseplants have these benefits by giving people a chance to connect with nature even if they don’t have access to a proper garden. The new botany club gives students better chances of taking the proper care of plants they have at home and can help give kids new hobbies and interests.