Volunteer Plants Seeds For Future of Largo High School's Students

Master gardener Marie Hoke-Singer struts down the hallway at and points out her work: Joseph's Coat and Wandering Jew create reliable and colorful ground cover, and the African Walking Lillies hug the path to the main office.

"They're my friendship flowers," Hoke-Singer said pulling on the lilly's green leaf. 

"This part drops to the ground and opens up. I'll call them my friendship plants." 

Her single "mother tree" stands front and center at the sidewalk's bend.

"Truth is you'll plant three, one will live," Hoke-Singer said.

"There's always one that gets the right amount of sun and rain."

Her words of wisdom come from a lifetime of experiences and an unexpected journey in gardening. Nine years ago she started taking classes at the . 

"They asked why we were there. I told them I wanted a green thumb. I've got a black one and just wanted to get something, anything, to live," Hoke-Singer said.

Besides a desire to watch some plants sprout under her care, Hoke-Singer needed a new passion.

Her health needed tending.

Twenty years ago, Hoke-Singer underwent major heart surgery. Then the increasing demands of her real estate career pushed too much stress on her heart. She searched for a more nurturing role, something to keep her active but calm.

Hoke-Singer far outgrew her seedling of a wish in that first class. She blossomed into a Master Gardener, but a few years later she decided to prune her activities a little further. She began volunteering at her old alma mater to beautify the campus.

She weeds, mulches and digs out areas for new plants and flowers. She campaigns to raise funds and donations: rain barrels, mulch, plants, trees and whatever the current project needs. She's on campus throughout the week and often on weekends.

Largo High staff describe her as a campus "fixture". 

More than just plants are sprouting under her care now.

She's generous with advice, often focusing on the student who needs a little sunlight.

 "I tell them [the students] I have no status. I have no authority. They ask me, 'Mrs. MG, what are you doing?' I tell them 'I'm weeding. You want to help,'" Hoke-Singer said.

She coaxes kids to learn about the environment, teaches the willing ones and overseas students who use gardening time to boost their resumes' community service hours.

Along with plant tips, she offers advice on life. She doesn't sugar-coat her words. With a psychology background, she knows the kids respect honesty.

Hoke-Singer observes everyone - teachers, staff, students and visitors. Her bit of sunshine comes with a quick sparring of words, a witty joke or a short encouragement.

She can spot the students that need a guiding hand.

"My mission is to break up the "F" gang. I saw one kid. He was clean cut, always dressed nice. He was an excellent student, always made A's and B's. He started hanging out with this group of kids, and every sentence started with the "F" word. It was nonsense," Hoke-Singer said.

Concerned about the changes, she shared her observations with the student's mom.

Hoke-Singer said, "What's the point of him going to school? That word will become so ingrained in his mind that on his first job interview, when he goes in with the nice suit you've bought him, and they say he's hired, the first words will be 'F- Yeah'. And they'll take it back."

The mother agreed but didn't quite understand why Hoke-Singer was involved.

"I told her, 'I'm not going to stand here and watch him tear down what you've built.' I know she works hard and really cares about his school work and getting him to college."

Students, in general, have changed since her 1959 graduation. She was in the last segregated class of her school. Today's kids are maturing faster physically, but mentally and emotionally, they're exploring, Hoak-Singer said.

She doesn't take any credit for helping these students find their way. Instead she credits the principal, teachers and staff for standing behind what she considers life basics: dressing appropriately, going to class, learning and respecting others.

Strong adult mentors are a necessity, especially adult males, she said.

"It doesn't matter what color a dad is, if he's missing, the kid needs one," Hoke-Singer said.

It wasn't long before she saw that wayward student she spoke of. He had switched back to his old ways - dressing nice and taking pride in his school work. He had something new- a new set of friends.

Hoke-Singer grins.

"We have a lot of good kids here."