Every year, the Bright Green Future Grants Program provides resources for schools aiming to connect students with nature and sustainability. Joelle Don de’Ville, a teacher at Gorzycki Middle School, highlighted what such grants can achieve. Her students are engaged in practical agriculture as part of their education. With past grants, the school has established a working ranch featuring goats and chickens. This year, Joelle is expanding the project with sheep through an initiative titled “It Begins with Ewe.”
Joelle expressed the program’s vision: “The new sheep will continue Gorzycki Middle School’s heritage and legacy as a school that embraces, supports, and promotes sustainable agriculture in an urban setting. While working with the sheep, students will learn the precious skill of cooperation.”
To facilitate this expansion, Joelle partnered with Crockett High School’s construction program to design and build a sheep barn. During a campus visit, Crockett students, guided by their instructor Colin Bugge, were observed building the barn. “Involving Crockett Construction makes the project truly a community endeavor,” said Bugge, highlighting the teamwork of his students.
The experience aims to provide more than just technical skills. It empowers students to take ownership of their education and contributes to meaningful community involvement. Hayden Kendall, a Crockett student, shared, “The best part is the feeling of accomplishing something. The pride of being able to do something with my hands, look at it, and be like, ‘Hey! I did that.’”
Bugge hopes the project will highlight the talent and capabilities of his students and gain community recognition for Crockett’s programs. “I hope that this grows awareness of the talents and capabilities of my students,” he said.
Joelle Don de’Ville was also on hand for the barn’s construction, emphasizing the importance of student leadership in sustainability. “Encouraging student leadership in sustainability is key. Students can lead projects, which give them the chance to take action and advocate for the environment in their communities.”
Both the Bright Green Future Grants Program and Crockett Construction Technology program continue to offer opportunities for students in Austin’s District.
