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TRENTON
- For the fourth consecutive year, the Juvenile
Justice Commission (JJC) has been honored
to take home a prestigious title at the
acclaimed Philadelphia Flower Show. Over
the weekend, the JJC’s entry into
the window box and lamppost category was
awarded second place. The Philadelphia Flower
Show is currently under way at the Philadelphia
Convention Center through Sunday, March
7. This year’s theme is “Passport
to the World.”
“The
opportunity to participate in the Philadelphia
Flower Show is an incredible opportunity
for our residents,” said Veleria N.
Lawson, Executive Director, JJC. “With
the help of their teachers, our students
can apply the skills they learn in the classroom
to create flower arrangements that can compete
with some of the best in world. This experience
allows them to put their knowledge and creative
talents to work, while providing them with
life skills. This is a perfect way to help
our young people understand that hard work
and dedication pay off.”
Under
the supervision of their horticulture instructor,
residents from the JJC’s Costello
Prep Program, located in Tabernacle Township,
entered a submission into the ”Individual
and Club Entry” exhibit, which is
separated into “old world” and
“new world” flower design categories.
Students spent hours in the classroom researching
“old world” flowers from Asia,
Africa, and Europe for their award-winning
hanging basket and window box entry. The
students utilized plants such as elephant
ear, Spanish thyme, geranium, and coleus.
Many of the flowers used in the JJC’s
entry were grown by the students in green
houses as part of their ongoing horticulture
curriculum. Students designed and assembled
several possible entries, carefully nurturing
each to see which would be selected as the
eventual entry. Students also have the opportunity
to visit the convention center to maintain
their entry.
The JJC’s Campus Residential Program,
located in Blackwood, also submitted several
single plant entries. These entries will
be judged later in the week
The
JJC is the state agency responsible for
providing juvenile rehabilitation and parole
services. Established in 1995, the JJC serves
to coordinate services and policies affecting
delinquent youth throughout the State. In
addition to the core educational curriculum,
the JJC provides extensive career and technical
education to students, including horticulture
instruction. As part of its educational
curriculum, the JJC operates a greenhouse
on the grounds of Smithville County Park
in Burlington County. At peak season, students
care for 75,000 plants, which are used in
community service projects and are available
for sale.
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