Mt. Hope’s Lori Miller earns $1,000 savings bond as Ohio winner of Bonnie Plants cabbage contest
Like many third-graders before her, Mt. Hope Elementary’s Lori Miller accepted the challenge to grow a Bonnie Cabbage and submit it to Bonnie Plants as part of the company’s third-grade cabbage contest it holds annually. But unlike most, Miller’s cabbage was selected as one of the finalists for the state of Ohio.
And unlike anyone else in Holmes County before now, Miller was chosen as the Ohio winner for 2010, and her time and investment in growing and caring for the plant paid off to the tune of a $1,000 savings bond, which she received at a presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the school.
Each year, Bonnie Plants distributes free cabbage plants to third graders across the country to foster an interest in gardening and the environment. Cabbages are delivered to students whose teachers have signed up to participate. Students in these third-grade classrooms each get their very own cabbage to plant, take care of and harvest. The cabbages produce oversized heads, making the process even more exciting for kids. As part of the program, Bonnie gives a $1,000 award to one student in each state. Through the annual cabbage program, Bonnie Plants hope to inspire kids to develop an interest in nature and the outdoors. Now entering in its ninth year, the program has been an exciting and rewarding venture, and now Miller is part of its history.
Miller, now a fourth grader at Mt. Hope, was a student of third-grade teacher Shelly Mathias, who figured that Miller’s picture of herself with the giant cabbage was worthy of at least sending in to Bonnie Plants. Little did she or Miller expect a win.
Nor did principal Dan McKey, who said, “I am so thrilled for Lori, and I appreciate Mrs. Mathias taking the time to send in her entry. Teachers often times have so many things on their plate, and sometimes things like this fall through the cracks. It shows that she really cares about her students.”
During the presentation, a representative for Bonnie Plants came and presented Miller with the savings bond, amidst much celebration from the student body, who realized how monumental and how rare this feat is. After all, Bonnie Plants only presents one winner per state every year, so Miller now joins a very exclusive club.
“The representative really spoke highly of Lori’s cabbage, and he even said that this was his third presentation from his district in the past several years, so this area must have some really top quality soil,” said McKey.
McKey commended Miller for her effort, and he said that through the experience, the school was even able to promote Character First!, a program that the school takes very seriously as it celebrates great quality traits exhibited by the students.
“We talked about how much Lori showed responsibility in caring for the plant and initiative in taking charge and making sure that she did what was necessary to get it entered,” said McKey. “This is really neat because it just doesn’t happen every day. We’re very proud of Lori for a job well done.”
And unlike anyone else in Holmes County before now, Miller was chosen as the Ohio winner for 2010, and her time and investment in growing and caring for the plant paid off to the tune of a $1,000 savings bond, which she received at a presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the school.
Each year, Bonnie Plants distributes free cabbage plants to third graders across the country to foster an interest in gardening and the environment. Cabbages are delivered to students whose teachers have signed up to participate. Students in these third-grade classrooms each get their very own cabbage to plant, take care of and harvest. The cabbages produce oversized heads, making the process even more exciting for kids. As part of the program, Bonnie gives a $1,000 award to one student in each state. Through the annual cabbage program, Bonnie Plants hope to inspire kids to develop an interest in nature and the outdoors. Now entering in its ninth year, the program has been an exciting and rewarding venture, and now Miller is part of its history.
Miller, now a fourth grader at Mt. Hope, was a student of third-grade teacher Shelly Mathias, who figured that Miller’s picture of herself with the giant cabbage was worthy of at least sending in to Bonnie Plants. Little did she or Miller expect a win.
Nor did principal Dan McKey, who said, “I am so thrilled for Lori, and I appreciate Mrs. Mathias taking the time to send in her entry. Teachers often times have so many things on their plate, and sometimes things like this fall through the cracks. It shows that she really cares about her students.”
During the presentation, a representative for Bonnie Plants came and presented Miller with the savings bond, amidst much celebration from the student body, who realized how monumental and how rare this feat is. After all, Bonnie Plants only presents one winner per state every year, so Miller now joins a very exclusive club.
“The representative really spoke highly of Lori’s cabbage, and he even said that this was his third presentation from his district in the past several years, so this area must have some really top quality soil,” said McKey.
McKey commended Miller for her effort, and he said that through the experience, the school was even able to promote Character First!, a program that the school takes very seriously as it celebrates great quality traits exhibited by the students.
“We talked about how much Lori showed responsibility in caring for the plant and initiative in taking charge and making sure that she did what was necessary to get it entered,” said McKey. “This is really neat because it just doesn’t happen every day. We’re very proud of Lori for a job well done.”
Published: February 22, 2011
