Thanks to the Live Oak Village Garden Club, the Live Oak Tree Care Board, and the City of Live Oak, Arbor Day was once again a meaningful celebration at Crestview Elementary. With support from the Crestview staff and PTO, these partners coordinated an event that brought together students, staff, and community members to honor the value of trees and the importance of caring for the environment.
The celebration featured a variety of student performances that showcased talent and appreciation for nature. The Crestview Choir sang “Bright Happy Day” and “What a Wonderful World.” The Adventure Club, decorated in colorful leaves, performed a dance to “Leaves Fall Down,” and Student Council officers recited the poem “I Am a Tree.”
As part of the festivities, the Village Garden Club hosted its annual poster contest for third- through fifth-grade students. This year’s winners, Sophia Hernandez, Karla DelCastillo, and Payton Henderson, were recognized for artwork that reflected this year’s theme, “Healthy Trees, Healthy Life.”
During the event, Live Oak Mayor Mary Dennis read a proclamation officially declaring it Arbor Day in Live Oak, Texas, reinforcing the city’s commitment to conservation.
Throughout the event, students were reminded of their responsibility to care for the environment. Superintendent Dr. Fields encouraged them to continue nurturing the trees planted in past years, so future generations could enjoy watching them grow just as they have.
Amanda Poteet, JISD Board member and Crestview PTO member, spoke about the importance of protecting nature, emphasizing that it’s a responsibility we all hold together.
“When we take care of nature, we are really taking care of ourselves and each other,” Poteet said.
The celebration also featured a special guest speaker, Rachel Sarlls, San Antonio regional urban ecologist, who spoke about the many benefits trees provide, including their role in cleaning water, producing oxygen, and offering shade on hot days.
At the end of the event, each student received a Tree Growing Kit from the City of Live Oak and pollinator seeds from Rachel Sarlls, giving them a fun way to continue caring for the environment at home.
The annual Arbor Day event reflects the strong partnership between Crestview Elementary and the Live Oak community. With the continued support of the Village Garden Club, the Live Oak Tree Care Board, and the City of Live Oak, Arbor Day remains a meaningful experience that connects students to their environment and their community.
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