Jasmine Romero, Maggie Akers, and Marli Jacob help build the new classroom

Joy Haynes

Hartselle Enquirer

The Hartselle High School IRC program decided to build an outdoor classroom that would not only enrich learning in the IRC but also honor Robin Riley, former Hartselle Junior High School special education teacher who passed away earlier this month.

Transition coordinator Karen Howell said plans for the outdoor classroom had grown tremendously from the original plan.

“We first had the idea of a pergola over a concrete slab that we could use as an outdoor classroom,” Howell said. “Then it grew into a memorial garden for Robin Riley, which will be very special for our students. This will be a versatile area where we will be able to have lessons and host events. We know this garden addition will not be the last step in the process, but we haven’t figured out exactly what we want to do with it yet.”

Howell said Lowes in Hartselle donated everything to make the outdoor classroom possible.

“Lowes has been such a wonderful addition to the community since they came to Hartselle,” Howell said. “They have helped us in the IRC for many years now as well as helping with other school projects. They donated two picnic tables, all the plants for our memorial garden, tools, mulch, edging and lumber for storage benches the woodshop class will build for us. We just can’t thank Lowes enough for their tremendous support.”

Lowes assistant store manager Tammie Jensen said Lowes was happy to help with the project.

“Lowes has an annual budget that we put toward what we call Lowes’ Heroes,” Jensen said. “The staff gets to pick where we want to spend the money in the community wherever we see fit. We have worked with the IRC before, and we love getting to help them. We thought this was a marvelous project to help the kids and these type projects tend to never end. They are able to keep evolving, and these students will be able to nurture and tend to something to learn a lot.”

Lowes live nursery specialist Kathy Leathers said she enjoyed working on the memorial garden.

“I didn’t personally know Robin Riley, but when Tammie approached me about a plan for a memorial garden, I was happy to take it on,” Leathers said. “I wanted to be a part of what a teacher gives to her students, so I wanted to symbolize those qualities Robin had. I did a lot of research on memorial gardens and I came up with several ideas. I incorporated several plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies that symbolize eternal love. The colors red and purple stand for her heart, deep affection and commitment.”

The garden will be equipped with butterfly bushes, red, purple and pink flowers as well as blackberry bushes and more. A wooden plaque dedicates the garden to the memory of Robin Riley.

Students and teachers were encouraged to help with the outdoor classroom progress Saturday morning. Among the volunteers were a former player of Riley’s senior Maggie Akers. Lowes also sent volunteers to help the students and teachers with planting and edging the garden.

Howell said the arbor was built by HHS agriscience teacher Greg Adams. His class will also build storage benches to house the tools and allow for extra seating near the outdoor classroom.

“This project will really benefit the IRC students in so many ways,” Howell said. “They can get an in-depth look at the lifecycle of plants and study insects that make their home in the garden. Lowes has also provided a weather station for the students to monitor weather patterns. This will be an asset to the IRC for years to come. We are so blessed to have such wonderful help, because this is only possible through the helping hand of several people and companies.”