Young activists plant community garden

Students in Lower School’s Young Activist Club got their hands dirty during their latest project to help make the Edgehill community better.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist

Combining environmental activism with the call to combat food insecurity, students in Lower School’s Young Activist Club set out to find a way to use the benefits of gardening to improve the lives of their neighbors. 

“We learned about why it’s important for everyone to have fresh fruits and vegetables, so we wanted to be able to help people with that,” Lucas Lupu ’31 said. 

In need of funds to execute their vision, students began selling packets of seeds in early March. The sale featured seven types of seeds, and students upgraded their product by sorting the seeds into packets they artfully designed. Seizing an opportunity to support yet another cause the young activists are passionate about, they purchased seeds from a company that supports Indigenous peoples and people of color by giving a portion of profits to organizations like the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust and Wabanaki REACH. 

Using their excellent grassroots marketing strategies and persuasive skills, young activists raised $250 from their seed sale. With these funds, the club purchased a large garden bed for residents of nearby Wedgewood Towers, a government-assisted housing facility for seniors and those with disabilities. The bed was installed at a height intended to accommodate all and, once in place, was filled with soil donated by The Compost Company thanks to USN Parent Clay Ezell. On Monday, April 19, the club traveled to Wedgewood Towers to get to work. Along with Wedgewood Towers residents, students dug into the dirt to plant okra, peppers, and tomatoes grown from the same seeds they sold to raise funds for the project. 

“It was fun to build intergenerational relationships,” Elliott Karpinos ’31 shared. “One of the residents is blind, and he told me about how he loves painting while we worked.” 

Wedgewood Towers residents will be able to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor, and the Young Activist Club plans to make regular visits to work in the garden alongside their Edgehill neighbors. Additionally, students hope to continue fundraising to add more beds, providing Wedgewood Towers residents with more easily accessible, fresh produce options. 

“It was good to meet new people while also giving back to our Earth,” Elliott continued. 

“I would definitely go back to plant more,” Lucas added. “I really like helping people.” 

Young Activist Club was started during the fall 2020 semester as an After School program to provide students in grades K-4 with age-appropriate opportunities to participate in civic engagement and social justice advocacy. The club emphasizes student-led initiatives challenging its members to think critically and find empowering solutions for affecting change. Now in its third year, other club activities have included letter writing to representatives, organizing a meatless Monday in Sperling Cafeteria, leading conversations in community meetings around the need for racial restorative justice, and conducting collection drives to provide people experiencing homelessness with necessities. In December 2022, they designed and sold holiday cards to support LGBTQ+ youth as well as immigrants new to Nashville. 
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
  • The team poses for a photo after competing in the Middle School Quiz Bowl National Championships.

    Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship

    The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.
    Read More
Archive

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.