On October 19, 2023, Dr. Betsy Tipton was awarded a $1,000 grant from Daphne Utilities for her agriscience classes. A representative from Daphne Utilities came to Daphne High School and personally presented Dr. Tipton with the grant money.

Daphne Utilities is a supplier of natural gas, water, and sewage services to homes throughout Daphne. They lend a helping hand to many and put some of their profits back into local schools with education mini-grants. These $1,000 education mini-grants were available to public schools and public school educators in the Daphne Utilities service area who were committed to conserving natural resources and engaging students in STEM, conservation, or educational activities related to utility service. Dr. Tipton applied for the grant offered on the website. “I just went on and wrote out what I wanted,” Dr. Tipton said. To apply, Dr. Tipton had to type up two pages about what she would use the money for. “This year it was for native plants,” Dr. Tipton said.

Dr. Tipton teaches landscape and greenhouse classes in the FX building. Her landscaping class planted these native flowers around the school’s farm and campus. “We are doing these little wildlife gardens outside some of the teachers’ windows,” Dr. Tipton said. The benefits of these gardens could go beyond just beautifying the school. According to North Dakota State University, flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. They completed a study involving flowers, and the results showed that participants felt less depressed and less anxious while spending time around flowers.

This grant is further useful to the agriculture classes because the original flowers purchased with the grant can be used to create new seeds. “My greenhouse class propagates off of them, so they can make new plants,” Dr. Tipton explained.

With the help of Daphne Utilities and Dr. Tipton, prepare for a multitude of flowers around Daphne High!