Abraxas Garden Project

Last month, over 30 members of the Rancho Bernardo Rotary Club attended the dedication of the new Abraxas Orchard in the school’s Community Garden. Rancho Bernardo Rotary recently donated 14 fruit trees to the garden.

Abraxas Principal Alain Henry welcomed Rotary Club members, students, and staff to the event, explaining Abraxas’ commitment to providing personalized educational experiences for all of its students. “The donation of these trees and the expansion of the Community Garden is a perfect example of the non-traditional, cross-discipline experience that we value here at Abraxas,” Henry explained. “The orchard will expand the amount and types of produce our students grow and donate to the community.”

Rotary President Michael Fuqua thanked Abraxas students and staff for their planning and labor – especially their digging the holes for the trees. Fuqua noted, “This project exemplifies Rotary International’s Making a Difference initiative where every Rotarian, worldwide – all 1.2 million of us – will plant a tree in our communities this year. We are excited to kick off this initiative with Abraxas High’s Garden Project.”

Ten student speakers explained the history of the Community Garden to the audience. Abraxas teachers Bob Lutticken and Robert Saxton have led the work in the Community Garden since its inception in 2015. Lutticken brought a special family connection to the dedication ceremony, as his mother Judy is an active member of the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo.

Rotarian Joe Max, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After the trees were planted, Abraxas Leadership students and their teacher, Carole De Bruin, conducted tours of the garden.