Ani Chijavadze, a student at Lincoln Elementary, launched a wonderful initiative to plant a tree on the school grounds, with a little help from her friends.

On one of the unexpectedly warm September days this year, Ani was inspired by a conversation with Ms. Bonnie, the school crossing guard. Ani envisioned a tree that would provide shade during her shifts on hot days. With the support of her mother, Dr. Amy Pytlovany, Ani’s idea blossomed into a community project. Organizing the tree planting proved to be a challenge. “The first hurdle was determining where to begin and what steps to take,” Mrs. Pytlovany explained. Fortunately, the community united to lend a hand. They needed to secure approvals and confirm donations swiftly to plant the tree before the ground froze in late fall. Families, the school district, Scotia Rotary, and the Schenectady Soil and Water Conservation group played crucial roles in the plan.

With little experience in planting, Mrs. Pytlovany initially turned to Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) for guidance. They connected her with Nick Klemczak, the Executive Director of Schenectady Soil and Water, who offered vital advice, including recommending a northern red oak tree. “He ordered the tree for us, proactively obtained a dig safe ticket, and sent a team to ensure we planted it properly for its success. We are incredibly thankful for his support and the Scotia Rotary Club who helped with a donation,” she said.

Throughout the planning process, Ani engaged her friends and their families. “We went to Lowes to get shovels and gloves,” Ani recalled. On planting day, they invited everyone to help dig the hole. For Ani, the highlight of planting the tree was doing it with her friends and family. When reflecting on her experience with community service, Ani initially struggled to articulate her thoughts but eventually shared, “It made me think about how I can do things to make a difference in my community.” When asked about the message she wishes to convey through her act of kindness, Ani paused thoughtfully. Her mother added, “It shows how powerful empathy and small acts of kindness can be.”

Mrs. Pytlovany expressed her pride in Ani’s initiative. “She demonstrates great problem-solving skills. As a Lincoln Elementary alumni, this project is especially meaningful to me and my father, Bill Pytlovany, a former member of the school and parks boards. We are grateful to be part of such a supportive and generous community.”

Here’s a look at their proposal and process.