Newtown Florist Club grows more than vegetables - Gainesville Times

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Newtown Florist Club grows more than vegetables

Girls learn about gardening and self-esteem

Shanicka Stephens, 16, searches through bushy tomato plants for the fruit Wednesday morning in the Ruby Wilkins Garden in Newtown. Stephens joined about a dozen young women in the garden as part of the Newtown Florist Club’s leadership program.

0719newtown3 — Shanicka Stephens, 16, searches through bushy tomato plants for the fruit Wednesday morning in the Ruby Wilkins Garden in Newtown. Stephens joined about a dozen young women in the garden as part of the Newtown Florist Club’s leadership program.

Savannah King

Updated: Jul 19, 2013, 5:00 AM

Published: Jul 18, 2013, 11:13 PM

While most 16-year-old’s slept late and did as they pleased this summer, Shanicka Stephens and her friends were growing and getting their hands dirty, literally. Shanicka has spent the past two summers with the Newtown Florist Club girls leadership program. And she served as a teen leader this year.

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