Nurturing Nature: Rosemead’s Gardening Club

The Gardening Club at Rosemead High School is a place that offers a temporary escape from the pressures of academia and allows students to find solace in the beauty of nature while in the company of their peers. The club empowers students to momentarily set aside the thoughts and fears of going through high school or leaving [high school] and instead, encourages a focus on the simple joys of gardening and camaraderie.  

The creation of a Gardening Club at Rosemead high school first began when Mr. Joseph Vasquez, RHS English teacher, applied for a grant from the Whole Kids Foundation, a program introduced by his RHS colleague, Mr. James Espinoza, who believed Mr. Vasquez would be interested. Mr. Vasquez has been a devoted gardener since 2009, finding gardening to be both communal and a solitary endeavor. In his free time he focuses on growing his own salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, fruits and vegetables and expresses interest in native and pollinator-friendly plants that allow our ecosystem to thrive. Before the program took root at Rosemead High School, several gardening initiatives were already thriving at other institutions, including one at John Muir High School in Pasadena, CA. In 2016, the Gardening Club partnered with Eco Urban Gardens and has since received support from the PREP program here at RHS. The establishment of the Gardening Club at Rosemead High School has led to many positive changes in the school’s greenery and landscape.

Gardening Club plays an important role in fostering community engagement and environmental awareness. It provides students with a space to connect with nature, develop skills, and strengthen social bonds. Gardening also brings together those who value environmental awareness; it creates a community that allows students to learn how to rely on one another. Lastly, gardening involves many hands-on activities, which can help develop problem solving abilities and perseverance. 

Currently, most Gardening Club meetings are held in the English building, specifically at the greenhouse located at the base of the southwest-facing stairs leading to the second floor. The club primarily focuses on enhancing the area surrounding the greenhouse and RHS’s math buildings. You can find information about the Gardening Club on our Instagram page, @best_of_thymes_garden, where we hold meetings after school from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

As the president of the Gardening Club, I have personally witnessed its positive impact, thanks to the support of my fellow cabinet members. From a personal standpoint, I initially joined the club during my freshman year seeking community, and ultimately became its president during my sophomore year; it also led me to meet many of my companions today. Since then, I have worked to promote the growth of the Rosemead High School Gardening Club, and I am excited about what the future holds [for it].

So for those of you seeking a large community of eco-conscious gardeners, please consider joining the RHS Gardening Club!