Scholarships!

This is one kind of lasting impact we get to make — and I couldn’t be prouder of the students who earned their scholarships this year. Our members work hard all year long, running fundraisers, managing orders, and putting in real hours to grow our program. Every dollar raised represents time, effort, and commitment they invested into their own future.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Sarah Armbruster — Club President: $2,415

Azlyn Salazar — 2nd‑year member: $2,093

Mackenzie Deboard — Club Vice President: $1,474

We missed having Mackenzie in the group photo, but her impact is everywhere — especially in the incredible work she’s done building and maintaining this website.

On average, each hour of fundraising earns our students about $24 in scholarship money. That’s impressive — and honestly better than most jobs available to students their age. It’s proof that their time and dedication truly pay off.

A huge thank‑you to our customers and supporters for helping make these opportunities possible. You’re investing in students who show up, work hard, and make us proud.

Field Trip: Moody Gardens

The Horticulture Club spent a full day exploring Moody Gardens on April 28, and it turned out to be one of our most memorable trips yet. Along with our usual favorites — the Rainforest Pyramid and the Aquarium Pyramid — we were able to experience several new exhibits that made the day even more exciting.

Rainforest Pyramid

Inside the Rainforest Pyramid, students walked through a living ecosystem filled with tropical plants, free‑flying birds, and unique rainforest wildlife. It’s one thing to learn about biodiversity in class — it’s another to stand beneath towering trees, watch leafcutter ants at work, and see how thousands of species interact in one environment. The students were fascinated by the layers of the rainforest and how each supports different forms of life.

Aquarium Pyramid

The Aquarium Pyramid gave us a close look at the plants and animals of the sea, from coral reef systems to deep‑water habitats. Students were especially interested in the conservation and rehabilitation work Moody Gardens does behind the scenes. Seeing rescued animals and learning about habitat restoration tied directly into our club’s focus on stewardship and ecological responsibility.

New Exhibits: Dinosaurs & Skeletons

This year, Moody Gardens added two special exhibits — a dinosaur exhibit and a skeleton exhibit. Both were huge hits.

• The dinosaur exhibit brought prehistoric ecosystems to life, showing how plants and animals evolved over millions of years.

• The skeleton exhibit offered a fascinating look at comparative anatomy, helping students understand how structure supports function across species.

These exhibits sparked a lot of curiosity and great conversations among the students.

3D & 4D Educational Theaters

We also visited the 3D and 4D theaters, where Moody Gardens shows high‑quality educational documentaries. The immersive visuals and effects helped reinforce concepts we cover in horticulture, ecology, and environmental science — and the students loved the experience.

A Great Day for the Club

While we didn’t manage to get a full group photo, everyone said they had a great time and enjoyed exploring the exhibits together.

Seed to Sprout Fundraiser

March 11, 2026

The Horticulture Club kicked off spring with a simple but seriously fun idea: give students a chance to slow down, decorate a pot, and plant a seed of their choice. One of our own club members dreamed up the concept, and it turned into an awesome campus moment.

The weather showed up for us, too—Partly cloudy skies, perfect breeze, and plenty of smiles to go around.

A huge shout‑out to the teachers who brought their classes out to join the fun. Between the soil, seeds, sunshine, and creativity, the courtyard was buzzing with good energy all day long.

Another great day to let our future take root. 

Field Trip: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

March 3, 2026

The Horticulture Club recently took a field trip to our very own Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most ecologically significant protected areas on the Texas coast. Students had the chance to step directly into a living classroom—one filled with towering oaks, coastal prairies, wetlands, and wildlife that make this refuge a national treasure.

Learning Among the Old-Growth Oaks

One of the highlights of the trip was exploring the refuge’s ancient live oak stands, some of which are hundreds of years old. These massive, sprawling trees create their own micro‑habitats, supporting birds, insects, mosses, and fungi. Their wide, low branches also happen to be perfectly shaped for hosting several students at a time—something our club members took full advantage of.

It’s one thing to read about these ecological roles in class—it’s another to sit in the branches and feel it.

A Refuge With National Importance

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is best known as the winter home of the endangered whooping crane, one of the rarest birds in North America. While we didn’t spot any on this trip, students learned how the refuge’s marshes and estuaries provide the food, shelter, and safety these cranes need to survive.

The refuge also protects:

• Alligators

• Javelinas

• Roseate spoonbills

• Blue crabs (a key food source for whooping cranes)

• Countless native plant species

This makes the refuge a powerful example of how conservation areas preserve biodiversity and protect threatened species.

Visitors Center & Exhibits

The Visitors Center offered beautifully curated exhibits that helped students connect what they saw outdoors with the science behind it. Displays covered:

• Coastal ecology

• Migration patterns

• Native plant communities

• The history of conservation efforts in Texas

Students were able to explore hands-on materials, maps, and interactive learning tools that deepened their understanding of the refuge’s purpose.

The (Very High!) Viewing Platform

Our group braved the refuge’s impressive—and slightly intimidating—elevated viewing platform. From the top, students could see:

• Vast stretches of protected wetlands

• Coastal prairies shaped by wind and salt

• The mosaic of habitats that make the refuge so ecologically rich

It’s a rare chance to see conservation on a landscape scale.

Picnic, Wildlife, and Tree Climbing

After exploring the exhibits and trails, we enjoyed a picnic surrounded by the sounds of the coastal ecosystem. Students spotted local wildlife, compared plant species, and—of course—did a bit more tree climbing before we wrapped up the day.

A Day of Learning, Fun, and Connection

The students truly enjoyed this experience. Field trips like this help them connect classroom learning to real-world ecosystems, deepen their appreciation for conservation, and spark curiosity about careers in environmental science, horticulture, and land management.

Check out some of the pictures below!