The Pelham Beautification Committee is pleased to recognize E. L. Crossley Secondary School for its beautification initiatives in two programs – Green Industries and Visual Arts.

Aaron Belding, Green Industries teacher and his class of grade 11 and 12 students took on the assignment of beautifying the south-west corner of the new turf field at the Crossley school.  What was once a baron corner of grass, weeds and overgrown shrubs is now a visually attractive large garden with a retaining wall and several perennial plants, including Yarrow, Black Eye Susan, Ferns, Thyme and Cone Flower.  Aaron Belding stated, “the assignment started the second week of September with students digging up the project area, building a retaining wall, as well as designing and planning the floral arrangements”.  The project came to fruition the first week in November, under the watchful eye of their teacher.   Aaron further commented, “the plant material, although picked over this late time in the season, was chosen for the school colours and for the spring to fall interest”.  Owen Metler, a grade 12B student and an aspiring landscaper indicated, “I am enjoying the Green Industries program because I plan on attending Niagara College next year in the Horticulture program, possibly in Greenhouse Technology or Hydroponics.  This garden project was interesting because I enjoy keeping things alive”.  Another grade 12B student, Aiden Macrae, stated, “I am enjoying the Green Industries program and this project in particular because I like making the school look better”.

Visual Arts is the second Crossley program to receive accolades from the Pelham Beautification Committee.   Town staff approached Sherry Wilkinson, Visual Arts teacher, earlier this year to paint a mural dedicated to Marlene Stewart-Streit located at a park in her name.  Sherry Wilkinson explained, “I put out a call and six art students enthusiastically took up the challenge.  The project started with a lot of research into Marlene’s golf career including students picking over photos that best depict Marlene for the purpose of re-creating her on a mural.”  Sherry further explained, “the monochromatic painting creates a nostalgic feel that best portrays an historical figure.  The project was both educational and a lot of fun.”  The painting took 36 hours to complete this past summer during the worst weather conditions possible.  Sherry described, “it was either sweltering heat or torrential rain.  Fortunately town staff provided a tent to keep the artists out of the elements.”

Rachel Moskalyk, one of the art students also worked as a lifeguard at the Marlene Stewart-Streit Park.  “When I finished lifeguarding I would step over to the building and join the other artists”, Rachel remarked.  She further commented, “it was great working with other art students and bouncing off ideas to create the finished product”. Rachel aspires to attend a university art program where she plans to obtain a PhD.  Natalie Anderson is heading off in another direction with biomedical science in mind. Both young ladies were excited to be a part of this project.  Natalie explains, “the local people know of Marlene Stewart-Streit as an iconic person and we were honoured and flattered to be a part of this amazing project.”  The unveiling took place this past July 20th with Marlene Stewart-Streit attending via zoom call.  Her sister, Dolly Smith, attended the ceremony in her place.  Additional art students included Gwen Cudmore, Hannah Horton, Emily Shatford and Trinity Young.

Janice Sargeant, E. L. Crossley Secondary School Principal, states, “I am proud to be a part of the Pelham community and Crossley family and am excited to have the students and staff be recognized by the Pelham Beautification Committee”.   Mrs. Sargeant explained “I believe that a school should contribute to the community and both of these projects do just that, and have been great experiences for our students.  It was great watching the transformation as students worked together planning, planting, painting, and in the end creating beautiful works of art and nature.”

The Pelham Beautification Committee is an advisory committee to Pelham Council.  The Committee seeks to foster civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.  The monthly ‘Thank You’ card initiative is one of the Committee’s efforts to inspire the Town’s businesses, organizations and residents to exemplify ideals defined in the Beautification Committee’s Terms of Reference, available at www.Pelham.ca

The Pelham Beautification Committee will name a recipient each month.  Individuals are encouraged to submit potential recipient recommendations to the Pelham Beautification Committee at beautification@pelham.ca