If It’s Growin’, They Are Mowin’ at Zion Chapel High School
If It’s Growin’, They Are Mowin’ at Zion Chapel High School | |
|[pic]The highest level of responsibility each Turf Crew member works toward is the privilege of operating the reel mower. Mike |
|Johnson mows immediately after a Friday night football game to “heal” the turf. |
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|by Kennedy Sanders |
|In the winter of 2010, Zion Chapel High School introduced a whole new meaning to school pride. They established the Zion Chapel "Turf|
|Crew." The Turf Crew is a group of students who are responsible for turf and landscape management, as well as overall appearance of |
|the school campus. The crew’s motto is, "If it’s growin’, we’re mowin’." |
|The program was developed through the Agri Science Program and the Zion Chapel FFA chapter. It has been a win-win situation for the |
|students and school as a whole. The Turf Crew has attracted a wide variety of students from grades 9-12. It has also greatly enhanced|
|the appearance of the campus as well as the seven athletic fields. By installing the program, it reduces the school’s expenses due to|
|the hard work of the crew members. |
|"The Turf Crew has been an excellent addition to our campus and is a dedicated and committed crew who works during their own time |
|after ball games to make sure everything is like it should be. I wish we could have had this program ten years ago because everyone |
|notices their hard work," Zion Principal Bob Hartwell said. |
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|[pic]Members of the Zion Chapel turf crew observe as fertilizer is being spread on the athletic fields by Pike Farmers Co-op. |
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|According to Scott Hendricks, Agri Science teacher, "There have been many positives to come out of this program. First and foremost, |
|it has involved students in our school who are not a part of the athletic program, band, etc. It gives them a sense of belonging and |
|pride in their school. Secondly, the skills they are learning are preparing them for the work force. It takes a lot to run this |
|program, and we are blessed to have the support of our school, local farmers and local businesses." |
|The school purchased a ten-foot reel mower to properly cut the athletic fields, local businesses have donated sand and a top dresser |
|for "sanding" the fields, and local farmers have donated an aerator and tractors when needed. They rely heavily on Pike Farmers Co-op|
|for not only the seed, fertilizer and herbicides we need, but their advice as well. |
|Recently, the Turf Crew was recognized at half-time during a home football game for their services and was later published in local |
|newspapers. As a reward for the members’ dedication and hard work, all members receive an identification card giving them free access|
|to games and a free meal from the concession stand. It also allowed coaches to be able to focus on practice and games rather than |
|field preparation. |
|"The Turf Crew has taken a lot of pressure off of all the coaches at our school. In the past, we had to keep the grass cut, |
|constantly adjust the irrigation system, etc. Now we can focus on practice and play on a beautiful field! This crew is definitely an |
|asset to our school," Mike Waters, head football coach at Zion Chapel, said. |
|[pic]All Turf Crew members start off with a five-gallon bucket and work up to higher levels of responsibility. Senior Courtney Napper|
|is all smiles as she works with a positive attitude. |
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|Zion Chapel is most proud of its new program because it prepares students by teaching skills and traits that will help lead to |
|success. These skills include responsibility, accountability, attention to detail, problem-solving, leadership, ability to promote |
|themselves and dependability — all of which build character. |
|The Turf Crew is managed by the "Teamwork" concept. Each Turf Crew member starts by picking up trash in a five-gallon bucket. As they|
|demonstrate the listed character traits, they are promoted to leaf blowers, then a push mower, string trimmer, zero turn mower and, |
|ultimately, the reel mower. Members must demonstrate a positive attitude, willingness to work and a desire to learn the safe |
|operation of the tool at the next level. During this process, students are also learning irrigation, soil nutrition, soil aeration, |
|winter overseeding and top dressing. |
|While students are diligently working toward higher goals, they are learning the proper use of outdoor power equipment and how to |
|maintain it. In addition, they learn the good habits of recordkeeping like oil changing dates and amounts of herbicides and |
|fertilizers applied to the fields. |
|On Friday nights at the home football games, the crew divides into a home and visitor team with new captains (leadership skills) each|
|week. They completely clean and dispose of all garbage within 30 minutes…what normally took band parents a few hours. In addition, |
|one member cuts the field with the reel mower as soon as the football teams clear the field to "heal" the divots caused from players’|
|cleats. |
|Zion Chapel is very proud of its new-found program and its manicured campus. The crew has received many praises, but Dr. McPherson’s |
|(superintendent of Coffee County Schools) words say it all. "I think the Turf Crew is an outstanding program; congratulations to the |
|students who have decided to be a part of this exciting program. The Turf Crew is a wonderful example of student involvement, both at|
|the school level and to the community. It helps instill a sense of school pride in the students." |
|If you would like more information on how to start a Turf Crew at your school, contact Scott Hendricks at hendrickss@ |
|coffeecounty.k12.al.us. |
|Kennedy Sanders is Zion Chapel FFA Reporter. |
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