Looking to help grow the careers of budding horticulture professionals, the La Jolla Garden Club distributed scholarships to area students and a grant to the Friends of Coast Walk Trail during the club’s annual luncheon last week.
Three students from community colleges in San Diego County that have horticulture-related programs received scholarships May 20 to further their education. They are Alexandra Engle from MiraCosta College, Brittyn Menzer from Cuyamaca College and Christina Pinuelas from Southwestern College. The amount of the scholarships was not disclosed.
For all three, this field of study marks a shift in their lives.
Menzer said she started her first garden last year and “it was so impactful for me that it changed the direction of my life,” including changing her school, her major and the trajectory of her career. Menzer said she wants to establish a community garden with edible produce.
Pinuelas said a fateful trip to a grocery store’s floral section changed her life. “I just really liked being among the flowers, and now I get to do what I love [in floral arranging] in my own time,” she said.
Receiving the scholarship to help continue her training “means a lot to me,” she said.
Engle, once a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, is now studying sustainable agriculture with goals of growing food and “being able to provide it to those that are in need.”
Engle said she has “grandiose dreams of growing more food and organic produce and just continuing to provide it to everyone.”
The Garden Club also presented a $1,000 gift to Friends of Coast Walk Trail President Brenda Fake to be used for continued care of the trail and its native plants.
The awards are funded through the Garden Club’s hip dues and events. The club, founded in 1968, meets monthly from September to May. To learn more, visit lajollagardenclub.org. ♦
