Woodside Energy-backed students build raised garden beds for Lake Charles seniors

Woodside Energy’s LEAD program and student teams from Calcasieu Parish showed how corporate grants can translate into neighborhood projects when Washington Marion High School students presented raised garden beds, benches and a storage unit for seniors at the Whispering Hope program in the Lake Charles Senior Center.

"This project is more about is more than just gardening," said Ayanna Sterling, who identified herself as the marketing manager, project manager and secretary for the Washington Marion team, describing the project’s social, health and food-access goals. The students said about 30% of their $20,000 grant went to building durable, accessible garden beds, another 30% to benches for comfort and social interaction, and the remaining 40% to upkeep, soil, tools and a storage unit.

Heather Hoitzy, Woodside Energy’s director of external affairs, said the company’s Louisiana LNG export project is a major regional investment and described the company’s involvement with schools. "Our project represents a $17,500,000,000 investment in Southwest Louisiana," Hoitzy said, adding that Woodside awards participating schools $20,000 each through LEAD and works with faculty advisors and corporate mentors to support student-led projects.

Students and school staff credited partner organizations and local volunteers for help executing the projects. Washington Marion students noted partnerships with the Calcasieu Council on Aging and school staff; Silver High’s lead council described an "Empower Her" initiative focused on domestic-violence awareness, care packages with a local women’s shelter and restoration of a shelter garden.

The presentations concluded with board members and attendees applauding the students and thanking Woodside and local partners. Board members did not take formal action on the projects at the meeting; presenters said the work is complete or nearly complete and available for community visits.

The district said its schools will continue to host student-led, community-focused LEAD projects supported by corporate and local partners; project teams encouraged community feedback and volunteer support.