(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)-- With the2026-2027 school year starting, Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) is hosting a campus beautification project from 8 a.m. - 12p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Mustangs are encouraged to participate in the opportunity to earn community service hours. 

The campus beautification project is organized by the LRHS FFA and LRHS agriculture teacher Sophia Jaramillo-Vasconez in an effort to make our campus look its best for the start of a new school year. 

Jaramillo-Vasconez is seeking student volunteers to assist with landscaping, planting, mulching, and other outdoor projects. 

“The Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) FFA has completed mulching and planting projects for the school for years, but this is the first time we are opening the event to the rest of the student body,” said Jaramillo-Vasconez. 

She continued, “Our primary goal is to re-mulch the courtyard and trim the bushes around campus. This is routine care that horticulturists practice to maintain the beauty of the landscape. We are also eager to offer volunteer hours for students interested.” 

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Jaramillo-Vasconez emphasized that student volunteers need to be prepared for the heat, among other things, when participating in this project.  

“The most important thing participants need to prepare for is the heat. With it being August in Florida, we encourage everyone to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen and a hat, and arrive on time. If you have work or gardening gloves, it would be wise to bring them,” she shared.  

Jaramillo-Vasconez continued, “We also welcome participants to bring their own landscaping tools, but please keep in mind that all items must pass through school metal detectors and be cleared by campus security. LRHS FFA will provide tools and gloves and should have enough for everyone, pending final numbers.” 

LRHS agriculture students, FFA, and Jaramillo-Vasconez plan to continue the campus beautification project throughout the 2026-27 school year.  

“Midway through the school year, our agricultural courses will complete a follow-up landscaping day. We also plan to fertilize (we have to wait until after the summer rains) and put in new plants to fill in some of the gaps that have accumulated over the years,” said Jaramillo-Vasconez. 

With any further questions, contact Jaramillo-Vasconez.