Project of the Year

Every year, the education committees of the HRPDC award mini-grants to qualifying projects. The mini-grants are generally in the amount of $250, although the committees finance larger projects through cooperative funding. For the first time, the HR3 committees have selected a Mini-Grant Project of the Year and an Honorable Mention. The awards recognize projects based on community involvement, creativity, impact on students, and other factors.

Project of the Year - Thalia Elementary Oyster Gardeners

The 2008 Mini-Grant Project of the Year was awarded to Thalia Elementary School for the Fifth Grade Oyster Gardeners Project. Patricia Sare coordinated the project and applied for the mini-grant. The project was funded by HR STORM. The students were able to raise and plant nearly 1,400 oysters in the Lynnhaven River. Boy Scout, Tim Costello, built steps to the stream to allow the students safe access. The project helped him earn the ranking of Eagle Scout along with three of his friends. The Eagles were the cover story on the June 1, 2008 edition of the Beacon. An outdoor teaching area was also built.

Thalia Elementary students show a fish some love during the oyster gardening project.

Students prepare oyster spat for planting in the Lynnhaven River.

Honorable Mention - Jane H. Bryan Elementary Butterfly Garden

The Honorable Mention was awarded to Jane H. Bryan Elementary School for the First Grade Butterfly Garden Project. HR CLEAN funded this beautification project. Ms. Christine LaPointe coordinated the project and applied for the mini-grant. She said of her first grade students, “The children loved being able to dig in the dirt. Many of them had never done that before or even seen a worm! . . . They could not believe there were worms in the dirt!” footer