Staff report
The Dirty Hands Garden Club of Fort Wright, an active civic club, has awarded two scholarships this year.
The awards are presented each year from the proceeds of the club’s annual Plant Swap & Sale.
Brooklynn Alter, Ginny Bolte, club president, and Kinlea Dean (Photo provided)
A $500 scholarship was awarded to Kinlea Dean and a $100 scholarship was awarded to Brooklynn Alter. Both students attend Simon Kenton High School. Each wrote essays on their interest in horticulture and documented hands-on gardening and community envionmental activities.
This is the first year since the scholarship program started in the 1990’s that the club has awarded two scholarships, according to Ginny Bolte, club president.
The club organizes community work parties, native plantings, and educational opportunities for local gardeners. They host a popular annual Spring Plant Swap & Sale where the community can purchase and swap plants and gardening knowledge.
They also maintain a butterfly garden and other landscaped beds near the Fort Wright city building, hold monthly meetings, organize field trips host a holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony — and “love to get their hands dirty.”