Hewlett-Woodmere Schools Endowment Fund awards grants for two high school clubs

Intending to provide financial support for programs that aren’t in the school budget, the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools Endowment Fund has awarded two grants, each worth $3,000, to the Hewlett Community Garden and the Robotics Club.

The endowment fund, an independent organization made up of alumni, families and friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere school district, is designed to establish an endowment through fundraisers that would help provide a sustainable source of support for student projects in the district.

“They’re both organizations that have brought a lot to the community,” said John Roblin, the fund’s board chairman. “We couldn’t be more happy to help those two groups.”

Members of the Endowment Fund presented checks to advisers and students on at the community garden on July 25. Located across from Hewlett High School at 86 East Rockaway Road, the garden officially began harvesting fruits and vegetables in October 2013 and one decade later, has not only seen growth in its garden but member loyalty.

Sylar Kampton, a recent Hewlett High graduate who will be attending the University of Delaware this fall, has spent her free time volunteering at the gardens and finding ways to better her community while she attended the school district.

She began volunteering as an Ogden Elementary School student and worked her way from the treasurer position to being the club’s president her senior year.

The garden looks to use the grant to make improvements around the garden that include new supplies, with one being a bigger need, new gardening beds.

“We have beds in the garden that are super old and they’ve been used for many years that are falling apart,” Kampton said. “It will help the plants in the beds grow even more, which is great.”

Kampton collaborated with students Stella Fratti, Lily Cohen and garden club adviser D. Chambers to create the grant request. 

“I love giving back to the community,” Kampton said. “I think that volunteering is a really great way to spend your time and it pays off so much because you know that you’re providing your service to other members of the community. It is also a great way to bring people together.”

Kampton said she looks forward to visiting the garden whenever she is home from college.

The Robotics Club, specifically the FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology — Tech world champion RoboBoogie, applied for a grant to fund science kits for a science experiment called Kit for Kids, which were given to first grade students at Franklin Elementary School.

The science experiment would help the team accomplish science outreach in the community, which allows them to introduce travel in their community and introduce themselves and the club.

Janine Torresson, who led the club, retired this past school year. She was nominated for the Compass Award at the Long Island First Tech Challenge Championships in March. She finished third in the judging.

Torresson retired from teaching this past school year and hopes the program will continue to strive with new leadership.

“They’re looking to do more,” she said about RoboBoogie.