By Matt Hoover
USD 75 Communications Coordinator
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - What started as an idea shared by two educators has grown into something much bigger, a living legacy taking root across Junction City High School.About a year ago, JCHS teachers, Mark Weatherford and Madison Gritton, began exploring ways to bring trees to the high school. Weatherford took on the project through the Spanish Club along with help from the German Club, while the NEST Club and Gritton began its own effort to add trees and create new opportunities for students to connect with nature.
The response was remarkable.“The kids really enjoyed getting to dig, learn about the trees, and care for them as they went into the ground. They did an amazing job and put a lot of pride and care into the project. It's something that they'll be able to come back and see years later and know that they helped to make our campus better,” said Elizabeth Musil, JCHS German Club sponsor.
Through the Spanish Club, Weatherford was able to raise enough money to purchase dozens of bare-root trees. Meanwhile, the NEST Club partnered with Blueville Nursery out of Manhattan, which donated larger, three-to-five-year-old trees, to the project. It didn’t stop there though as word spread throughout the hallways of the high school.
The NEST Club also received a $500 donation from the Tabletop Roleplaying Club, the school's Dungeons and Dragons club, which is sponsored by Marilyn Glazar.“In November of 2025, the Spanish Club planted eight maple trees. These were the first trees ever planted on the JCHS campus. This is hopefully the first of many years adding beauty to our massive campus through the planting of trees,” said Weatherford
Fast forward to the beginning of the 2026-27 school year and the NEST Club has now planted approximately 22 trees, 14 last spring and another eight just a few weeks ago. The Spanish and German Clubs have combined to plant close to 30 more, ranging from maple trees to redbuds.But this project isn't simply about planting trees. For the students involved, it's about creating something that will outlast their time at Junction City High School.
Planting the trees was no easy task. Last spring, students spent nearly 10 hours on a Sunday working to get the trees into the ground. They brought shovels, strength and plenty of grit, digging through tough soil to give each tree a place to grow.“Students spent multiple afternoons digging, planting, watering and mulching trees,” said Weatherford.
One day, years from now, students may walk across the Junction City High School campus and barely think twice about the trees surrounding them, but there will be a story behind them. There will be trees planted by students who carried shovels through stubborn soil on a Sunday. Trees made possible by generous donors and community partners. Trees planted by Blue Jays who wanted to make their school a better place. More importantly though there will be trees that remind future generations that a group of students cared enough to plant something they might never see fully grown.
They planted for the future and now that future is taking root one tree at a time.