Whether you’re rushing in late from the senior parking lot or staring absentmindedly out of a classroom window, you’ll likely catch a glimpse of the little patch of earth we call the Japanese Garden.
Hundreds of students pass by the homey pagoda, quaint red bridge, calming stone paths and tall grasses every day, but never stop to wonder how it came to be. The area was designated as the “Japanese Garden” just before 9/11. The Japanese government offered a chance for 200 U.S teachers to travel over and learn about Japan for three weeks, three times a year. Biology teacher Beth Jewell was one of those selected for the adventure.
“It was an awesome trip. We got to stay with people, go into the towns and talk to them about education. What I owed them… in return was to do something to bring that culture back,” said Jewell.
Along with the Japanese class at the time, Jewell’s students revitalized the area and modeled it after a Japanese-style garden. The students designed the garden, planted greenery, and built around the shed so it would resemble a Japanese teahouse.
“[Before the renovations], there was nothing out there but one tree,” said Jewell.
Due to the size of the undertaking, the garden was built over a period of a few years. Every year since the trip, the biology students would go on a field trip to Richmond to see a Japanese garden and gain inspiration for their own designs. Then, the Japanese and biology classes would get together for a few days and the students would work in groups of fours to come up with designs for the space. After that, the students would vote on what to add that year.
“Year by year, the whole garden got filled in. It was fun to watch kids… who had never been out in dirt before learn how to dig holes. They learned how to do a lot of cool things,” said Jewell.
Studies have shown that observing nature has a plethora of positive effects on mood and stress levels. In a school buzzing with busy students and teachers, a calming green space like the garden provides a place to breathe and relax.
“It’s meant for a place for kids to go out and enjoy,” said Jewell. “Japanese gardens are reflective, they’re quiet, they’re a time to enjoy nature.”
Due to a change in the requirements for biology classes, the garden is mostly maintained now by the National Honor Society. The garden has a strong history of student involvement, passion, and hard work which is continued through NHS volunteer time.
“Our goal is to make sure that the garden looks well maintained,” said senior Michael Van Meter, an NHS officer who is planning how the society will work on the garden this year. “It should be a pleasant sight to look at for stressed out students.”
The collective work put into the garden from all across the school has shaped the once-barren space into a calming place to read, study, or hang out.
“What they do is what keeps it up. Otherwise, it doesn’t happen,” said Jewell.