Whiz Kids: Lemont Library's Junior Gardeners

Each week, Lemont Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments.

We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Local Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the information included below.

And without further ado, this week's Whiz Kids are...

Lemont Library Junior Gardeners

Names: Emma, Billy and Caleb Bozue; Ashley and Callie Tulipano; Sebastian and Ocean Leblanc; and Krista Waynick

Grade(s): Ranges from second through sixth grade

Organization:

Accomplishment: The Junior Gardeners of the Lemont Public Library have been tending their organic vegetable garden every week since June. They have grown a variety of vegetables and herbs, and had such a plentiful cucumber harvest that they were able to pickle part of the crop to sell and raise money to keep the garden growing.

Key(s) to Awesomeness: Not only have the Junior Gardeners remained committed to their vegetable patch, but they have also focused on community service. Once the vegetables started to grow, the group was able to gather the harvest to share with families and the local food pantries.

On Friday, Oct. 25, the group decorated pumpkins to display in front of the library, 50 E. Wend St. As a “thank you” to the library for their support through our first growing season, they created a “haunted hall” in the library's front lobby.

Garden sponsor Judith Apke said of the kids, "This group of children has remained dedicated to the garden and our organic ethics. In the following year, these children will begin working on their certification as Junior Master Gardeners. Their families have (also) extended their support and time."

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Thanks to a partnership with Nancy's Pizza, each Lemont Patch Whiz Kid will receive a certificate good for for one small Super Thin Crust cheese pizza.

Whiz Kids may redeem their certificate at , 1240 State St. For more information call Nancy's Pizza Lemont at 630-243-0033.