Guess what’s growing this year at South? Lots of plants!
South has a new club this year, the first-ever Botany Club. The club is led and founded by freshman Elijah Borgard, who is also the president. The club is sponsored by science teacher Brad Zerman.
South has Zoology classes offered but no plant-based classes, so Borgard said he saw a gap worth filling.
“I wasn’t really interested in the other clubs here,” Borgard said. “We have Zoology classes at school, but nothing about plants.”
So what exactly is the Botany Club? In the words of Borgard, it’s a hands-on plant-focused club where students get to work with plants and then use these plants for a good cause.
“We grow plants, and we’re looking forward to donating them to shelters and eventually start selling them,” Borgard said.
The club meets once a week every Friday in Zerman’s room. While students are at the club they spend time educating themselves and others on the different types of plants and experiment with growing and taking care of all types of plants. Zerman looks forward to seeing how the club grows and the creativity students will bring into the club.
Zerman said the Botany Club is unlike any other club South has had before and gives so many new opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zone.
Zerman describes The club as, “an opportunity for students to grow plants hydroponically.”
According to Zerman, the Botany Club was created for anyone who simply loves plants and wants to get to know more about them.
“People should join to gain more experiences in plants and knowledge on growing them if they have an interest in plants,” he said.
Borgard encourages other students to join.
“It helps people gain more experience on working with plants and knowledge on growing plants,” he said.
Zerman believes this is one of the Botany clubs most rewarding aspects.
According to Zerman, Botany Club may be new, but it’s already creating and growing a strong sense of community and purpose. This community is built with weekly meetings, supportive leadership, and a plan that blends unique science, creativity, and service.
“This club is growing more than plants, it’s growing a community,” said Borgard.
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