2010 Recipient - Leif Herald

We are pleased to honor Leif Herald as the recipient of the 2010 Patsy Collins Award for Excellence in Education, Environment and Community (EEC). Leif runs the Exploratory Internship in Horticulture/Landscaping (XIP) for Seattle Schools' secondary special education program at Ingraham High School. His "mobile landscaping crew" develops social skills, environmental stewardship values, confidence and self-esteem, while making a difference in the lives of low-income senior citizens.

2010 Patsy Collins Award winner Leif Herald (r) with student Shamika Sarden (l) in the Ingraham High school garden. Shamika is working on her required 60 hours of learning service for graduation requirement.

In Leif's own words, "A large portion of the target student population includes high-risk, inner city youth 14 to 21 years old, displaying a variety of disabilities including students within the autism spectrum. Since, 1984 low-income senior citizens’ gardens have been utilized as the primary focus. The students’ “hands-on” personal work experiences at these homes have enabled them to feel the compassion, empathy, appreciation and joy of serving the senior community. Enhancing community identity through preservation and stewardship of the environment is a constant priority objective."

 
Provided by an anonymous donor and presented at the EEC graduation ceremony at IslandWood, The Patsy Collins Award includes $5,000 for the recipient and an additional $2,500 to donate to a school or charity of his or her choice. Leif Herald has chosen the Horticulture Science and Botany Program of Seattle Public Schools at Ingraham High School because it emphasizes student involvement at an on-site community P-Patch and edible green organic gardens.