There was something special in the air at Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School. A new kind of energy. The kind that happens when young people and adults come together not just as teacher and student, but as equal partners. Students hung out in the teacher’s lounge during breaks, hands covered in soil, laughter in the air. The sun was shining. The smiles were real. Joy was everywhere.
It was the perfect way to celebrate HealthMPowers’ 25th anniversary—with community, purpose, and progress.
Revitalizing Garden Spaces for All Students
In May, HealthMPowers partnered with Bethune Middle School to breathe new life into two of four outdoor classroom gardens. This wasn’t just a beautification project—it was a collaborative effort to create spaces that support hands-on learning, inclusion, and long-term community impact.
Bethune MS is uniquely positioned for this kind of partnership. The school participates in every HealthMPowers program—making it a true model of holistic, school-wide health engagement. Students from the Garden Program were joined by peers from the Student Health Advocate Program and girl leaders from the Girls Empowering Movement (GEM) Program. Together, these young changemakers, also involved in the SNAP-Ed and Power Up for 30 programs, brought their energy, leadership, and vision to the gardens. It was a powerful culmination of years of effort—and a perfect way to celebrate 25 years of impact.
Students, teachers, HealthMPowers Board Members, and volunteers rolled up their sleeves together. They rebuilt and reimagined the gardens, making them more vibrant, more welcoming—and more accessible.
“I’ve learned quite a lot in the Garden Program. I’ve learned how to eat healthier and make food more healthy. I didn’t eat a lot of fruits [before], but I have a green apple right here in my bag!”
– Ava, 6th Grade
Garden Program participant, Girls Empowering Movement (GEM) Leader, and Student Health Advocate
Youth Leading the Way
At Bethune, youth aren’t just learning in the garden—they’re leading it. More than 600 students engage with the school gardens throughout the school year, putting STEM knowledge into practice while cultivating real-world skills and responsibility.
The Garden Program was started by Media Specialist and Librarian, Ms. Connie Dowdy, when she noticed four empty courtyards on school grounds.
“I bet I can plant something out there,” said Ms. Dowdy.
As she planted, students started noticing what she was doing and joined her. After she received her Master Gardener certification, she was empowered to take it to the next level with an official garden class.
Using HealthMPowers’ Three-Season Garden Curriculum alongside USDA’s Learn, Grow, Eat, Go Jr. Master Gardener Curriculum, students explore sustainability, nutrition, and accessibility. Harvest from the gardens is shared with the school and community. These are more than gardening lessons—they’re life lessons.
“At the start of the program I was kind of happy because I knew we’d be gardening and I’m not really used to that. I think this is a very good opportunity for me to learn and to learn to communicate and to work on my social skills because, I’m not very good at that.”
Kenidee, 6th Grade
Building with Inclusion in Mind
What made this project even more meaningful was the intentional design to ensure every student could benefit. Students from Bethune’s Garden Class took the lead in redesigning the garden spaces with inclusion at the center—showing what true peer-led advocacy looks like.
Accessible features include:
- Raised beds that accommodate wheelchairs and assistive devices
- A new wheelchair-accessible ramp
- Wide, smooth walkways for easier navigation
Two distinct garden spaces were created:
- Garden #1, led by Ms. Delany, serves students with moderate intellectual disabilities.
- Garden #2, led by Mr. Reynolds, serves students with severe intellectual disabilities.
A true team effort
On build day, students led volunteers in transforming the spaces:
- Power washing walkways
- Painting picnic tables
- Building rain barrels, birdhouses, and stepping-stone pavers
Together, they planted a beautiful array of flowers and vegetables—marigolds, zinnias, lantana, radishes, cucumbers, lemon balm, lavender, mint, squash, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
It was more than just a garden workday. It was a moment of shared joy, pride, and purpose.
Celebrating 25 Years—And Looking Ahead
This garden revitalization is just one of many stories showing how HealthMPowers has grown from a single mobile unit to a statewide movement for health equity and youth empowerment. As we celebrate 25 years, we’re not just reflecting on our past—we’re investing in the next generation of changemakers.
