A SENIOR CAPSTONE IN FULL BLOOM
Adelynn Tuck brings a pollinator garden and butterfly release project to life
For senior Adelynn Tuck, a second semester in the Horticulture elective became an opportunity to build a lasting impression on campus.
What began as a conversation in class quickly took shape into a meaningful senior capstone project. After hearing Mrs. Edgar’s interest in creating a dedicated pollinator garden bed, Adelynn stepped in to bring the idea to life.
“I chose this because Mrs. Edgar had expressed interest in creating a new garden bed specifically for pollinators,” she shared. “After some discussion, we decided I would adopt that as my project.”
Now, that idea is becoming reality.
Adelynn is currently in the process of building a new pollinator bed that will support a variety of plants designed to attract and sustain pollinators near the Upper School garden. The project combines research, design, and hands-on construction.
While the gardening aspect felt familiar, the building process pushed her into new territory.
“So far, the most challenging aspect has been working out the plan for the garden bed,” she said. “I had to figure out things like which wood would be best and how to get the boards together with very little experience in woodworking.”
Her planning reflects that effort, from sourcing materials to mapping out each phase of construction and planting.
But what makes this project especially unique is what comes next.
Alongside the garden bed, Adelynn is incorporating the process of raising and releasing butterflies, adding a hands-on learning element while also supporting the garden’s success.
“I thought the addition of the butterfly aspect would add an extra fun and unique element to the project by allowing the class to engage in raising the butterflies,” she said. “I’m also hoping that the butterflies will help boost the garden’s success by attracting more of my favorite pollinators.”
The garden itself is designed with intention. Using pollinator seed mixes, seed mats, and plants like milkweed, the goal is to create a space that supports a wide range of pollinators while strengthening the broader garden ecosystem on campus.
Over the coming weeks, Adelynn’s timeline will guide the project from construction to planting to release. As the weather warms, the garden bed will take shape, seedlings will begin to grow, and caterpillars will eventually transform into butterflies ready to be released into their new environment.
At its core, the project reflects Adelynn’s long-standing love of animals and her desire to connect that passion to her time in horticulture.
“I’ve always loved animals, and I saw this as a way to tie that love into the horticulture class,” she said.
Looking ahead, she hopes the impact of this project will continue well beyond her time at Mount Pisgah.
“I’m hoping that one day students in Horticulture or just walking by will be able to see a bountiful collection of plants and flowers and enjoy seeing pollinators fluttering and buzzing around.”
As construction begins and the first signs of growth appear, Adelynn’s project is already creating something meaningful for the campus community.
It is projects like this that reflect the depth and creativity of Mount Pisgah Christian School’s elective offerings, where students are encouraged to pursue their interests in meaningful and hands-on ways.