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TRENTON
- For the fifth consecutive year, the Juvenile
Justice Commission (JJC) will be participating
in the acclaimed Philadelphia Flower Show.
Last year, the JJC was honored to take home
second place for its entry to the window
box and lamppost category. Individual plant
specimens also won several awards, including
a second place distinction, three third
place prizes, and an honorable mention citation.
The Philadelphia Flower Show begins Sunday,
March 6 at the Philadelphia Convention Center
and runs through March 13. This year’s
theme is “Springtime in Paris.”
“The chance 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.”
Under the supervision of a horticulture
instructor, residents from the JJC’s
Costello Prep Program, located in Tabernacle
Township, will enter a submission into the
”Individual and Club Entry”
exhibit that will focus on the region of
the French Riviera. Students have spent
hours in the classroom researching tropical
plants for their hanging basket and window
box entry. The students utilized 26 plant
species, many of which 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 will have the opportunity
to visit the convention center to maintain
their entry.
In addition, the JJC’s Campus Residential
Community Home, located in Blackwood, will
be submitting eleven several single plant
entries, including specimens of geranium,
cyclamen, hibiscus, and begonia. Students
spent weeks cultivating these individual
plants, which will be judged by some the
nation’s most distinguished horticulturists.
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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