Genesis School Students Celebrate Arbor Day on Orange Lake

Fourth grade students from The Genesis School helped welcome a new tree to Orange Lake in celebration of Arbor Day.

In Florida, Arbor Day falls on the third Friday in January. The Arbor Day ceremony is a tradition in New Port Richey, and this year it was organized by the city's Environmental Advisory Board.

“We have been doing this for more than 20 years, “ said Missy Nurrenbrock, head of The Genesis School.

City officials joined the kids for the event.

"We appreciate you students participating in this event," said City Manager John Schneiger. "Arbor day is very important. Trees are very important."

Eighteen fourth grade students from the School recited a poem about Arbor Day and summarized the holiday’s national history.  Then they shoveled soil onto the base of a new tree, bought by the city, that was planted at Orange Lake.

“No one plants a tree and expects it to die,” said Dell DeChant, a member of the environmental board. “No one plants a tree without at least some degree of hope.”