Bricks and Butterfly Gardens

Elliot Hacker, Features Staffer • 7 Views

May 21, 2015

Photo Courtesy of Max Zengage
Closer photo of some bricks lining the garden.

Visual students undergo stress to figure out what they are going to do for different projects from sophomore to senior year. Visual sophomore Max Zengage took a different approach to his latest project and decided to incorporate the Dreyfoos campus. Zengage began working after school on a butterfly garden in front of building 9.

Photo courtesy of Max Zengage
The butterfly garden in the beginning stages of its building.

“I planned the fundamentals of physically overlaying a new landscape. My idea was initially to replace the 18 x 6 ft area of dirt with a butterfly garden as a gift for my mentors on the campus,” Zengage said.

He started working almost everyday after school, filling an area with dust dirt and scarce weeds. He purposely used poor quality soil, which affects the garden negatively but allows the butterflies to flourish. Zengage did all the work he could to make this happen, working for months straight.

Photo courtesy of Max Zengage
Progressively, the butterfly garden began to transform from the original area of dust dirt and weeds.

“I have stayed after school [almost] every day, I started establishing the garden [in] September,” Zengage said. “I finished in December. I have spent over 110 hours transforming the space of the garden.”

Using this garden, he came up with a new way to fundraise for the visual department. He started a new brick campaign, selling engraved bricks to put around the garden. Each brick sells for 100 dollars, and costs 24 dollars, yielding a 76 dollar profit.

“After hearing about the bricks being on sale, I figured I had to get one cause it is a great way to benefit the visual department,” visual sophomore Bailey Triggs said. “It will help with supplies, guest artists and workshops which would allow us to learn a lot more.”

Photo courtesy of Max Zengage
As plants were added, the butterfly garden began to transform into what it looks like today.

As for making the garden, Zengage started by placing wood around the dirt, then he made a water engineering system by putting PVC piping around it with a battery powered timer that allows water to flow through. Zengage then added Pentas, firebush and milkweed into to the garden to ensure that butterflies would be attracted to live there.

In order to raise funds for the Visual and Digital Media departments, engraved bricks , of which would be placed in the butterfly garden, are being sold for $100. — Photo courtesy of Max Zengage
In order to raise funds for the Visual and Digital Media departments, engraved bricks, of which would be placed in the butterfly garden, are being sold for $100.

“Before Max, the garden club and I would pay attention to the garden, and every once in a while put some plants in,” visual dean Melissa Gifford said. “Max has brought this garden to a whole new level, and with the brick contributions that go with it, we are able to support ourselves for special projects, photography SD cards and supplies.

Photo Courtesy of Max Zengage
The butterfly garden changes everyday with another blooming flower and another fallen leaf.

Photo Courtesy of Max Zengage
Some of the engraved bricks ready to be placed in the garden.

Photo Courtesy of Max Zengage
The thriving butterfly garden outside Building 9.

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About the Contributor

Elliot Hacker, Sports Editor

Communications senior Elliot Hacker is a third-year staffer on The Muse. He is the editor of the Sports section, and enjoys all aspects of communications, but primarily concentrates on film and writing. He plays basketball competitively and generally loves sports. Hacker's future plans are currently unknown but he hopes to use communications in whatever he does. He feels privileged to be at Dreyfoos surrounded by such great talent. Hacker is happy with how high school is going and hopes it continues down a good path.