On Tuesday, May 24 two Hawthorne High School students planted flowers at the Municipal Building. Freshmen Jacquelyn Hampson and Sarah Wisniewski spent their afternoon working in preparation for the Memorial Day parade held on May 30. The two are part of Girl Scouts and planting was one of the services they chose to do for the community.  

When the students first arrived there, they met with  Maureen Cook. She is the Public Works Administrative Coordinator for Hawthorne, which means she organizes volunteer work and services for the town. Cook helped the girls figure out a plan for planting. Wisniewski says, “She was very nice and extremely helpful. She let us have creative control and trusted us which made the experience more enjoyable.” So, Hampson and Wisniewski formatted a design and prepared to get down in the dirt.

The two began with the monument dedicated to the Hawthorne Fire Department. There they planted two pots with red and yellow flowers to represent flames. Cook described the potted plants as simply “beautiful.” From there they moved their way to the trees in the front of the building and the Hawthorne Community Board with red and white flowers to symbolize the patriotic colors in the flag.

Although it was a hot day, the two students got the job done and felt better after doing the work. Hampson says, “I like to help make Hawthorne more beautiful and any opportunity I get, I take,” continuing, “developing a green thumb was definitely worth it.” The two continue to plan on helping the community in all ways possible.