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Harrisburg Youth Council presents pollinator-garden capstone: 62 plants, community plant day and a $500 grant
Summary
Members of the Harrisburg Youth Council detailed their "Grow with Harrisburg" pollinator-garden capstone: an April 18 plant day, 62 plants representing 16 native species, a finalized maintenance handbook, and a $500 youth-council grant; council and staff praised student leadership and encouraged applications for next year's youth council.
Members of the Harrisburg Youth Council presented their 2025'26 capstone project at the Town Council meeting, describing months of planning and a community plant day that installed a pollinator garden intended to support local biodiversity and civic engagement.
Natila Shithik, who identified herself as Youth Council president and capstone committee chair, said the project aimed to bring the community together while supporting pollinator species that are in decline. "Youth Council at its core is a primarily service-led organization," she said, and described volunteer events that included a YMCA ribbon-cutting, a senior-living bouquet project, trick-or-treat events, and the capstone work.
Vice President Kayla Powell and other officers described the planning phases: mapping native plant species, sourcing materials from local businesses (including Harrisburg Hardware and Lowe's), and hosting regular work days culminating in a public plant day on April 18. The team said they planted 62 individual plants across 16 native species, completed installation across six work days, and distributed more than 100 branded take-home pots to families to extend the project's impact into private yards.
Student conduct officer Amari Young said community feedback emphasized excitement about biodiversity and offers of donations to support future projects. Tamay Jala, the youth council secretary, said the project received a $500 grant (the council's first youth-council grant) and that the council will maintain the garden with a summer rotation schedule.
Council members praised the students and thanked staff and volunteers who advised the project. The youth council encouraged local ninth-to-12th graders who live in Harrisburg to apply for the next council year; applications run May 1—May 31.
Provenance: youth presentation and Q&A: SEG 036—SEG 366.
Speakers (selected): Natila Shithik (Youth Council president), Kayla Powell (Youth Council vice president), Vikica Anand (Youth Council treasurer), Amari Young (conduct officer), Tamay Jala (secretary).
