Ellen Kalantaryan is a junior here at Glendale High School and the president of the Gardening Club. She enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with her friends, and playing games. Ellen also plans to participate in the Powderpuff Football Game, played every year at the end of May, and a team of freshmen and seniors play against a team of sophomores and juniors.
Ellen joined the Gardening Club last year because she wanted to try something new that she hadn’t tried ever before and enjoyed working with her friends. She said, “Gardening seemed like it wasn’t anything too troubling, and I decided to join the club and it is super fun!”
One fun fact about Ellen is that she used always to help garden with her grandmother. However, ever since she moved out, she hasn’t been able to garden with her anymore, so Gardening Club has helped her get her hands back in the dirt.
During club meetings, Ellen and her members talk about what they plan to do for planting, as well as for fundraising. During gardening sessions, they get gloves, shovels, and plants, and they use their tools to dig up the area and place the plants inside the dirt. They also use a black tarp so it’ll prevent weeds from growing. If the weeds do grow, they can dispose of the weeds, or any other unwanted plants, in trash bags.
When Ellen and her members prepare themselves for their gardening sessions, they get this box inside of a shed that holds all of the tools they need. They also use safety equipment, such as knee pads, to protect themselves from the dirt.
Ellen finds that having to set up gardening events has been the most difficult part of working in the club. This is because it is sometimes hard to communicate with her other club members. Each person has their own opinion and Ellen wants to see what they want to do.
Ellen’s favorite part of the club is being able to garden after school. She explained, “We are doing something that we all enjoy, and as well as having fun because we get to talk a lot during that time as well.”
One of Ellen’s favorite memories is when she first joined the Gardening Club last year. She had her first gardening session after school, and she was becoming closer to the other members of the club. Also at first, not many people joined the club, but Ellen and the team were just a little group having fun.
Ellen’s current goal for the Gardening Club is to make the Art Quad look nicer because at the moment it is mostly just dirt. She plans on making the area look beautiful with plants and rocks. Ellen and her team are also coordinating with the Ceramics Club, so they will make ceramic artwork to decorate the area.
Ellen describes gardening as very calming. “Gardening is known as very peaceful, and if you’re doing it on your own, you’re with your thoughts,” she claimed. “You’re with nature, and it is surrounding you. So it’s like you’re reconnecting with nature.” Ellen also believes that when you’re gardening with a small group, it is the same experience but much better. It’s more enhanced, and you get to bond and have fun with your friends.
Ellen’s advice to future club members is to always be confident. They shouldn’t feel scared to attend meetings, and they should always communicate and talk to other members when necessary. Ellen also wants everyone to turn in their work on time!
Ellen would love for you to join the Gardening Club! The easiest way is to download the Remind app and enter this code: @ghsgard25. Students are also welcome to attend club meetings, or after-school gardening sessions, where they can talk with the new members and help them get more into it. You can follow the Gardening Club on Instagram: @ghs.gardeningclub!
