Keep The Rez Beautiful (KRB) Director Jeannine May and Lowe’s Hero (Lowe’s employee volunteer) Ron Guillot were presented with the 2017 Governor’s Award for Exemplary Partnerships to Puckett High School by the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education at the Mississippi State Capitol . 

The Mississippi Association of Partners in Education (MAPE) recognize Mississippi’s top school-community partnerships during the 15th annual Governor’s Awards luncheon in March. MAPE awarded 18 school-community partnership programs that have produced outstanding results for students in Mississippi’s K-12 public schools. Award-winning schools, districts and organizations are located in Jackson, Hattiesburg, McComb, Pass Christian, Puckett, Tupelo, Franklin County, Kemper County, Madison County and Rankin County.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant recognized all recipients for their dedication in helping with the Puckett High School Art Department “Gardens of Puckett,” project.  KRB worked with the local Flowood Lowe’s store to install a drip irrigation system and built a Pergola. Four other projects were also completed with the KRB/Lowe’s partnership.

The “Gardens of Puckett” was the first of many student-led projects to improve the aesthetics and sense of ownership on campus. Under the direction of art teacher Chuck Rhoads, students formed a committee to plan and design solutions with local school administration. Once plans were approved, students put their art skills to work, designing the garden’s layout, preparing the site and “painting” with plants.

Through the years, the gardens have expanded from a small 6′ x 80′ garden to two gardens covering more than an acre. Students solved a drainage problem by installing a man-made creek and also built a water fountain from recycled materials. More than 3,000 volunteer hours have been donated by the community and the high school art students now assist with other community beautification projects.

In addition to the local Lowe’s, additional partners for the “Garden of Puckett” school and community beautification initiative included TempStaff, People’s Bank, the Town of Puckett, Keep Mississippi Beautiful  and Keep the Rez Beautiful.

Keep The Rez Beautiful is a proud affiliate with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Mississippi Beautiful.

(Photo above) Mississippi’s Rankin County School Superintendent Sue Townsend (right) presents Governor’s Award to Lowes Hero Ron Guillot of the Flowood Lowes.