The “Remember Me” Rose School Garden Awards

Author: Sarah Pounders

'Soaring Spirits' is one of the tribute roses named for the "Remember Me" Rose Garden.

Sue Casey of Portland, Oregon understands what gardens can do for our well-being. After the tragic attacks of September 11th, 2001 she wanted to extend the peace and solace she feels in her garden to the nation. Her "Remember Me" Rose Garden project is her way of giving a garden to all those who were touched by the disaster on that day, and the award program that is it’s namesake gives rise to more centers of for peace and healing in schools and communities.

Sue's inspiration came two weeks after the attacks while gazing at a rose bush blooming near her church's parking lot. That's when the idea hit her: Roses are the national flower and a symbol of love…why not plant public rose gardens at each of the September 11th crash sites as a living tribute to the brave souls that lost their lives there? In that moment, the words "remember me" came to her, and she decided to call her effort the "Remember Me" Rose Gardens.

The “Remember Me” Rose School Garden Awards, generously sponsored by All-America Rose Selections (AARS), provide roses to youth gardens planned around the following criteria: to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001; to catalyze and support training in conflict resolution and mediation skills that help students discover fair and peaceful solutions; and to serve as a resource to enhance the school curriculum. In 2007, AARS will provide 15 to 20 rose bushes to 20 schools to plant in their peace gardens.

"This awards program offers children many important opportunities," says Sue. “As they care for their roses, they create a positive environment, a sense of community, and a safe place where each child can go to reflect upon and understand their emotions. Kids also learn first hand the importance of plants, and gain a sense of ownership and pride in their accomplishments."

In 2006, the winning garden programs reached more than 1600 students, and program leaders observed a wide range of benefits to students. In response to NGA’s year-end evaluation, they reported improvements in the following characteristics:

Characteristic	Percent Improvement
environmental attitudes	93%
social skills	93%
community spirit	93%
volunteerism	93%
attitude towards school	93%
leadership skills	79%
self-confidence	79%
scholastic achievement	64%

"The gardening program had a very positive impact on the direct participants as well as the other students in the school," says Linda Moe of South Shore After School Program in Port Wing, Wisconsin. "Not only did it show them how just a little effort can make such a difference but also how coming together and working together makes a positive difference as well. Kids that normally wouldn't socialize together in the regular school setting were working side by side and having a good time. The roses were a good lesson on why it's important to come together to solve conflicts and make peace rather than be angry and hurt one another, and how we are more productive when we are positive rather than negative."

Here are stories from two more inspiring award recipients.

Central High School
Springfield, Missouri

Central High School held a dedication ceremony for their "Remember Me" Rose Garden on May 1st.

“Someone once said, ‘Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow.’ What appropriate words for a garden that encourages students to dream of, hope for, and work towards a better tomorrow,” says Charles Johnson, Special Education Teacher.

Johnson and his students are thrilled to have received an award. “I can hardly contain my excitement to share with you how a ‘Remember Me’ Rose Garden will enhance a project begun by my special education students this past fall. Linda Brown was the African American child whose landmark Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education Supreme Court case paved the way for public school integration in 1954. Linda subsequently moved to Springfield, Missouri and graduated from Central High in 1961. A memorial plaque in her honor resides on our school’s lawn. Everything about Linda and her case speaks to conflict resolution, relationship building, and advocating peaceful solutions.

“This fall, my students decided to create a garden around Linda’s plaque both to honor her as a champion of civil rights and bring focus to the issues we still struggle with today. The students decided to plant daffodils after learning they are a symbol of new beginnings. Then we learned of the ‘Remember Me’ Rose Garden grant and knew it offered the perfect opportunity to expand our efforts. Our daffodils, symbolizing new beginnings, combined with the ‘Firefigher’ and ‘We Salute You’ roses, will provide a most fitting tribute to those who continue to teach us to strive for a more peaceful world.”

The garden adds hands-on activities to classes throughout the academic curriculum and serves as a focal point for conflict resolution lessons. Johnson notes, “Thirty percent of my students are emotionally disturbed or autistic. Emotional outbursts are a common part of their day, which is why I integrate conflict resolution into my classes. The garden will become a place to teach anger management, and a place of reflection where my students can gather their thoughts.”

Johnson continues, “Beyond the classroom, Central has a student-run, Peer Mediation group to help students find peaceful, nonviolent solutions to problems. The ‘Remember Me’ garden will provide the perfect setting for their activities. What an accomplishment for my students — kids whose special needs prevent them from serving as peer mediators — to create this garden to help fulfill such an important need!”

How will the garden project affect the community? “We plan to encourage the community to visit this special garden. Its location on the front lawn of our historic school will provide the perfect welcome to all who enter Central High,” explains Johnson.

The Franciscan Montessori Earth School
Portland, Oregon

The name says it all: a school founded on Franciscan and Montessori principles is a natural place for a “Remember Me” Rose Garden. Project Coordinator Victoria Warren-Mears notes that the garden will be planted around the school’s Peace Pole and existing Founders Rose Garden. “It will serve as a multi-classroom project to focus on respect and love for nature, each other, and ourselves. Educators will integrate the garden activities with lessons about conflict resolution, peaceful coexistence, and respect for all humanity.”

Warren-Mears continues, “The rose garden will serve as an outdoor classroom to explore the development and growth of the flowers, as well as a remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001, the heroes of that tragic day, and those who lost their lives. It will become a place of reflection for teachers, parents, and students.” In addition to commemorating the events of 9/11, Warren-Mears has also contacted the Portland Fire Bureau to offer the garden as a place to honor public servants from the Portland area who lost their lives in the line of duty.

For more information:
“Remember Me” Rose School Garden Awards
“Remember Me” Rose Garden