Trinity dedicates greenhouse for vo-ag program
The greenhouse donated by Ben and Shawn Trapuzzano is a key component of Trinity High School’s revived vo-ag program.
Vo-ag students are selling chrysanthemums that they store in the greenhouse. The students plan to see items such as poinsettias and pumpkins seasonally to raise money for other projects.
A sign recognizing the Trapuzzano family’s donation of the greenhouse hands from the trusses.
Ben and Shawn Trapuzzano, left, and members of the Trinity High School Future Farmers of America stand in front of the new greenhouse.
Trinity High School dedicated its greenhouse on Thursday at a ceremony attended by students, school administrators, faculty, staff and students.
The greenhouse was donated by board member Ben Trapuzzano and his wife, Shawn.
“The Trapuzzano family made this possible. It is a heck of a greenhouse that we would never have without their donation,” said Dr. Michael Lucas, superintendent at Trinity. “I can’t thank you enough for giving this to our kids.”
The 20-by-30-foot greenhouse, called the Ben and Shawn Trapuzzano Family Greenhouse, is a key component of the school district’s vocational-agriculture program, which the school started in fall 2014.
Trinity joins McGuffey and Fort Cherry as the only school districts in Washington County to offer a vo-ag program.
Vo-ag teacher Robin Durila said the program has grown from 23 students to more than 80 since it was approved and started.
Durila said students currently are housing chrysanthemums and hanging baskets, purchased from a wholesaler, in the greenhouse, and they plan to sell the flowers. The money raised will be used for other projects.
“Through activities like this, I’m able to teach the kids entrepreneurship, which is one of the basic foundations of the program so they can go out and have a trade when they leave, whether it’s starting their own greenhouse, or owning a floral design business, or being a part-time farmer on the side,” said Durila.
As part of the vo-ag program, Durila teaches classes that cover topics ranging from using pesticides and growing crops to rearing animals, and the curriculum reflects the changing face of farming – which is increasingly high-tech – and ag science.
Donald Snoke, assistant to the superintendent, said the school plans to build a similar greenhouse that will be used for agricultural mechanics classes in which students work on hydraulic systems and other agriculture-related equipment.
Students from the high school’s industrial technology class and wood shop built the tables inside the greenhouse.
The completion of the greenhouse was a collaborative effort. Snoke and his wife, Diane, donated trusses, McKean Plumbing donated services, West Tire donated a furnace and heating system, and Stimmel’s Greenhouse gave the school a ventilation system.
Students are growing vegetables on the West Middletown farm of Howard and Janet Snoke, and Don Snoke said other local farmers have offered to let students farm on a portion of their properties. Howard and Don Snoke are brothers.
Following the dedication, administration invited those who attended to a reception, which included hors d’oeuvres and other foods, many of which were made from vegetables and fruits grown on the Howard Snoke farm.