Following an uplifting version of “The Farmer Plants the Seeds” by the second-grade music students, directed by music teacher J. Danny Mejia, Luis Muñoz, principal of San Jacinto Elementary, welcomed those in attendance to the Planting Seeds to Grow Giants Garden Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
San Jacinto Elementary principal Luis Muñoz (middle, with scissors) prepares to cut the ribbon on the Planting Seeds to Grow Giants Garden, sponsored by ExxonMobil BTEC. Photo by Yulia Trujillo-Rodriguez.
Nicandro Arguello, youth pastor of the Life Church, gave the invocation, and Julian Gerst and Mia Garcia led the pledges to the American and Texas flags. Muñoz introduced special guests, including ExxonMobil Baytown Technology and Engineering Complex (BTEC) representatives Aaron Stryk, Connie Tilton and Susana Muñoz, SJE’s Partner-In-Education through the Baytown Chamber of Commerce and sponsor of the garden. Also in attendance were Clifford Hatch, director of parks and recreation for the City of Baytown; Richard Clem and Jim Campisi, members of the Goose Creek CISD board of trustees; Dr. Randal O’Brien, Goose Creek CISD superintendent; Susan Jackson, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction; Dr. Anthony Price, assistant superintendent of operations officer; Karen Thomas, area executive director and other district administrators.
Also present were Goose Creek CISD Facilities Planning and Construction Department’s Brenda Garcia, Ed Martir and Bruce Riggs, who designed the plans for the garden; Clem Medina from L.A.N; Kami Johnston, agriculture and natural resources coordinator for the Early Learning Academies; SJE staff members and Lalynda Clements, assistant principal; Kirk Ehlig, art teacher, whose students decorated rocks for the garden; Harris County Resources representatives Sonya Fowler, Kristen Ballard, Cherease Glasper and La Danta Jack; MMS Contractors and parents of many of the students.
Patricia Fiess with Harris County Youth Services spoke about her mentorship program, which includes 17 young men who will take care of the garden, including third graders Davis Martinez, Dominic Martinez, Walter Wittmer, Jasiah Bush and Ricardo Rodriguez; fourth graders Ethan Brathwaite, Lorenzo Gonzalez, Matthew Sauceda, Ethan Vega, Trent Williams, Giovanni Hernandez, Spencer Rigby and Malachi Smith and fifth graders Jahsiah Charles, Christian Gibbs, Michael Jackson and Rogelio Rodriguez. Her father, Fidel Tovar, also has volunteered his time to help with the garden.
In the Planting Seeds to Grow Giants Garden, also called the Reflection Garden by the students, each flower bed is named to reflect a specific word, so that people who visit can connect with at least one part of the garden. The names are The Garden of Hope, The Garden of Happiness, The Garden of Friendship, The Garden of Strength, The Garden of Kindness, The Garden of Peace, the Garden of Control, The Garden of Compassion and The Garden of Remembrance.
O’Brien recognized ExxonMobil BTEC, long-time partner to Goose Creek CISD schools, for giving students the opportunity to learn about nurturing the plants and watching them grow.
“I’d like to thank ExxonMobil BTEC for generously donating to this project, which students, staff and the community will enjoy for years to come,” O’Brien said.
Aaron Stryk, public and government affairs manager from ExxonMobil, explained the purpose of the garden.
“I know this garden has been under construction for quite a while now, but I can tell you the idea was germinating several years ago when we found out about the new San Jacinto Elementary campus, and we wanted to figure out some sort of gift that would provide a lasting legacy for the students,” Stryk said. “And I just couldn’t think of a better opportunity to provide this garden, and I think the name of it is perfect as far as Planting Seeds for Growing Giants. And in all honesty, I love the values that they will instill, because, quite honestly, every action, big or small, good or evil, all seeds are going to bear fruit, and I think this one is eventually going to reap a harvest. I think that’s also going to help us to raise up strong men and women of faith and character ready to make a difference in this world.”
Music students Nicholas De La Cruz-Guerrero, Madelain Garcia, Mia Garcia, Julian Gerst, Joselyn Gonzalez, Itsayana Granado Lerma, Florentina Juarez, Arielynn Mora, Rayne Roberston, Olivia Sandoval, Axel Valdivia, Alexia Valenzuela and Eliseo Villeda sang “Growing Smart” to conclude the program. After the ribbon cutting, guests toured the garden.