Stevenson senior gives wings to Beck Elementary students

A Utica Community Schools student is helping to bring science to life for a group of Beck Elementary students.

Stevenson senior Jonathan Grant recreated a butterfly garden at the school this summer as part of a service project to earn his rank as an Eagle Scout. 
"I hope the students will be able to go out and enjoy the garden, and that it will be a teaching point for their studies,” Grant said. 

Beck Elementary principal Sally Klatt said the school community has indeed welcomed the garden. 

"The garden has brightened the area around the kindergarten classrooms and the parents have commented how attractive it is," she said. "We are hoping that the plants selected by Jonathan attract butterflies so that the students may observe and study them throughout the school day. We appreciate the work that went into the garden and we thank Jonathan for all of the effort he put forth in designing and creating this peaceful sanctuary. "

Grant said he first researched the appropriate plants that would attract butterflies by visiting nurseries and gardening Web sites. 
He planted such plants as Phlox, butterfly bush, butterfly weed to attract the butterflies, refreshed wood chips and soil in the garden, and painted a gate near the site.

Since he planted the garden in July, Grant said he returned several times to weed and water the plants.
"I thought it would be a nice place where I could help," he said.