Girl Scouts Help Novi Woods Go Green

A troop of Girl Scouts from Novi Middle School brought a bit of spring into Novi Woods Elementary by passing out plants to each classroom Wednesday afternoon.

Troop 41441 picked Novi Woods to be the benefactor of its action project, in which the girls presented each class with a plant and instructions on how to take care of it. Each plant was also given a name.

The scouts said the plants will help improve air quality in the school.

"Even one little plant can help improve what they breathe in and out," said Girl Scout Anna Mikkelsen.

The plants came just in time for Earth Day, and the girls said several of the teachers mentioned they are learning about the environment; kindergartners are learning what plants need to grow, second grade students are learning about air pollution, and fourth grade students are learning about carbon dioxide.

Many of the teachers asked their students to help take care of the plants during schooldays and even on weekends or vacations.

"Everyone was interested in volunteering—all their hands went up," said Mary Grace Sinkovich.

The project was part of one of the troop's "Journeys," or a leadership series that is a step toward completing their gold awards. This Journey's theme was "Breathe," so the scouts also did activities such as yoga and aromatherapy.

Troop Leader Denise Sinkovich said the girls decided to pass out plants for the service part of their Journey.

"They wanted to include other people and make it sustainable," she said.

Troop members are Jordyn Kreucher, Kira Hurley, Mary Grace Sinkovich, Emily Kaley, Anna Mikkelsen, Joyce Cucksey, Katie McMaster and JJ Wright.