Trees grow goodwill at Highlands School

Local boy scouts from Troop 777, based at Bel Air United Methodist Church, lived up to the scout’s motto “Be Prepared” when they gathered Oct. 10 at The Highlands School prepared to plant 100 trees on the school’s campus. Pictured left to right: (Front row) Kyle Bittle, Joel Davis, Evan Kern, Kyle Chojnacki, Luke Wheeler, Justin Knoll; (Middle Row) Heather Wheeler, Morgan Gardner, Nick Gardner, Drew Dyer, Zach Wheeler, Jake Wheeler, Wendy Roe; (Back Row) Greg Wheeler, Jake Roe, Todd Gardner, and Joel Caudill.

Boy Scouts recently planted 100 trees at The Highlands School as part of a community service project initiative. A Pennsylvania based native plant supplier donated the trees.

Scouts from Troop 777, based at Bel Air United Methodist Church, weathered the rain one Saturday morning to plant silver maple, green ash, American sycamore and swamp white oak saplings.

“Those fine young men, under the watchful eye of their troop leaders and with the help of several siblings and our Facilities Engineer, worked tirelessly to plant the trees as part of the school’s reforestation efforts,” said Patricia Bonney, The Highlands School’s executive director.

“This was a great opportunity for our scouts to learn some conservation skills while providing a service to our community and we had fun,” said Scoutmaster Greg Wheeler.

Octoraro Native Plant Nursery, Inc., in Kirkwood, Pa., donated the trees.

“We truly appreciate and value our business and community partnerships,” noted Bonney. “Many of the things we do at the school and for our students are made possible through the generosity of others. The goodwill that grows from those relationships and service projects like this one is truly amazing.”

The Highlands School, now in its 13th year, is an independent, non-profit school serving children, grades K-8 who struggle with language processing, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other learning differences. For more information about the school and partnership opportunities, call (410) 836-1415 or visit the school’s Web site at www.highlandsschool.net.