Each year, the Woodinville Garden Club awards two scholarships to support students who have chosen to study horticulture, botany, landscape design or environmental studies. These awards are funded by proceeds from the Tour of Gardens and the Plant Sale held each year by the club.

The award winners for 2009 are recent Redmond High School (RHS) graduates Nolan Thomas and Kate Catlin.

Each of these award winners is deeply involved in environmental causes, which they will continue to pursue during their college years.

Catlin, who graduated from RHS in 2008, in order to take advantage of an internship with the Director of Education for the Earth Day Network, in Washington, DC. During the past year, she has helped craft student action plans for the “Green Your School” plan, writing curriculum, speaking at international environmental conferences and lobbying for environmental education policy and energy reform. Her favorite project was serving as lead on recruiting local high school students to an international conference, and organizing them for a lobbying day in Congress.

Catlin is participating in a bicycle Trek to Reenergize America which will culminate in an event in Washington D.C. at the end of this month. In the fall of 2009, she will enter Gonzaga University to continue her studies.

Thomas, who graduated from RHS last month, will attend the University of Washington this fall. He has been actively involved in environmental projects as a student activist and Eagle Scout. He served on the Redmond Parks and Recreation Board, organized a project to reforest a section of Grass Lawn Park, and is a founding member of the “Go Green” campaign at Redmond High School. This campaign has expanded to the Microsoft campus, using the model started at RHS. He plans to pursue his passion for environmental science and advocacy for the environment.

Woodinville Garden Club is able to provide scholarships through the support of the community for its fundraisers.

The 10th annual Tour of Gardens will be held on Saturday, July 18th, 2009. Tickets are $15.00, available at Molbak’s in Woodinville, Classic Nursery in Redmond, and Ravenna Gardens in Kirkland Park Place and University Village.