Mindful Mentorship by Arie

Mindful Mentorship by Arie - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I was in kindergarten, my mom introduced me to the community garden in our neighborhood, where Mrs. Kitty Wallace was the garden director. We were among the first families to help start the garden, and at that time, I was the only child in the group. Since I spent a lot of time there after school—three to four times a week—Mrs. Kitty often took me under her wing. She would hold my hand and guide me through the garden, teaching me about gardening while working on projects that benefited our community by providing food for those in need.
Together, we planted potatoes, carrots, greens, tomatoes, and other seasonal vegetables. We even built a butterfly garden that attracted and nurtured beautiful butterflies. I helped Mrs. Kitty weed out other families' plots and protected our garden from pests with natural remedies. Harvest time was always an exciting period when we saw the fruits of our labor come to life. From these experiences, I developed a love for gardening/farming, science, and animals. In my own little plot, I planted giant sunflowers (3ft - 4ft), which I shared with other gardeners by giving them seeds after every harvest. Over the years, my original 15 seeds spread throughout the garden, bringing the beauty and joy of giant sunflowers to everyone who visited.
As I grew older, around fourth grade, the community garden became more popular, expanding to include a greenhouse and a fishpond. Mrs. Kitty and I worked together to plant tropical plants and care for the fish until the fall harvest came. This time of year, was special because the community would come together to celebrate what we had grown. My early experiences in the garden helped nurture my curiosity for science and farming, as well as my compassion for animals. Since the age of six, I have been growing food, harvesting, and giving back to my community.
Looking back, I never could have imagined how my days in the garden with Mrs. Kitty would spark such a passion for farming, science, and animals. I am incredibly thankful for the community garden, where I was able to plant giant sunflowers, spread joy, and see firsthand how something small can make a big difference. The way people admired the sunflowers and appreciated their beauty was an amazing feeling and that is something that I want to give back to the world.
I am thankful for Mrs. Kitty’s mentorship and encouragement because it planted a seed in my heart and mind that continues to grow today. She motivated me to explore the world through gardening/farming, and that passion has inspired me to pursue a career as a veterinarian and a farmer. Just as she shaped my love for nature and giving back, I hope to one day inspire children to discover the wonders of farming, science, and animals, and to see the world as a place where they too can make a difference.