Elizabethtown College Environmental Science majors, Jay Diaz ’26 and Makenzi Reed ’26, were chosen as recipients of the competitive and highly selective Garden Club of York Scholarship. Both were selected in part because of their on- and off-campus sustainability efforts.

Diaz and Reed were recognized at an awards ceremony in York, Pa. on May 10, where Diaz gave a speech about her academic interests in horticulture, environmental science, landscape architecture, and urban/rural planning.

“The Garden Club of York is a fantastic program that does a lot of community-based initiatives and makes sustainable initiatives accessible for a lot of people, so it’s an absolute honor to be recognized by such a welcoming community that does so much good in my hometown,” Diaz said.

Jay Diaz ’26

Each year, the club awards scholarships to a York County student who is studying in an environmental-related field. The scholarship is awarded based on academic standing, extracurricular activities, financial need, and the applicant’s personal essay.

Diaz, who attended the York County School of Technology, spent time on campus this past summer taking part in the College’s Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP), creating a set of resources for members of the campus community and surrounding communities to learn about the biology, ecological roles, and cultural significance of selected trees. The research has the potential to serve as a basis for the College’s application for an Arboretum Accreditation Program.

Makenzi Reed ’26,

Reed, who attended Eastern York High School, was awarded this scholarship for the second straight year. She has supported the Garden Club of York’s purpose of aiding in the protection of native plant life by taking an active role in the College’s SEEDS Ecology Club, while also participating in off-campus volunteer activities such as planting native plants in the community.

“Sustainability starts with participating in initiatives such as the Garden Club of York,” Reed said. “While supporting such initiatives, you are not only advancing their mission, but becoming a difference maker in conservation.”

Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships at Elizabethtown College
The Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships program at Elizabethtown College helps students explore funding options to achieve their goals and can assist with the application process for a wide range of scholarships and fellowships. Learn more at etown.edu.