Grant brings shades of green to school

A teacher workday was held for all Aiken County public schools Friday, but Millbrook Elementary School was active with lots of parents and kids and the sounds of a hole-digging auger.

The volunteers joined science specialist Tammy Travis in planting 21 trees around the campus, thanks to a Palmetto Pride grant she obtained.

"I want the kids to understand the environment, nurturing and caring for these trees," Travis said. "I want to them to take those emotions and feelings and morals and pass them out to each other."

The trees include crape myrtles, ginkgo, Japanese maples, Leyland cypress and one very special dogwood. It will be called "Dogwood for Carley," named in honor of the late Carley McMaster, a Millbrook student who died in 2008 after a three-year struggle with a brain tumor.

Her parents, Scott and Vindi McMaster, and her three younger brothers participated in the tree-planting activity.

The dogwood will add to Carley's legacy, but it will be part of a bigger legacy that the 21 trees will provide, Vindi McMaster said.

"We're very excited to be a part of this," she said. "It means a lot to have this tree, but it's awesome that all these trees will be monitored and watered by the children. We're so grateful for all the community and parent support."

Aiken County Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt also helped out, along with Kristy Keadle of the Soil Conservation Service and Emily Pohlman with the National Resource Conservation Service. Keadle has visited Millbrook previously to provide environmental and conservation programs.

"It's just great to see new life being planted," she said. "The kids are watching it grow, and now they are a part of it."

Fourth-grader Corey Glenn said the project is really cool and "it's fun to just dig the holes."

His mother, Susan Glenn, said Corey and his younger brother Brandon were up early, yelling, "Mom, we have to go plant trees!" Later, they were delighted that it was OK for them to get dirty, their mom said.

"They will have a lot of fun watching these trees grow, knowing they can say that I 'planted that tree,'" said Glenn. "It's fun to be here, and I'm glad that Mrs. Travis gave them that chance."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.