LILLIE GARDNER AWARDED DR. HENRY W. INDYK SCHOLARSHIP Twins Lillie and Carlie Gardner have jointly been awarded the four-year Dr. Henry W. Indyk Scholarship, which is administered by The Lawn Institute. They will be splitting the scholarship funds. Lillie and Carlie are the daughters of Clay and Denise Gardner of DMG Turf and Farms in Angier, North Carolina. Beginning in her junior year, most of Lillie’s classes have been part of a dual credit program, earning both high school and college credit. She will graduate this spring with a diploma from Harnett Central High School in Angier, NC, and an associate degree through Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC. Though Lillie had been accepted at Campbell University, after exploring her options, she decided instead to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in the fall where she will major in Marketing and Graphic Design. Her love of design started early and by Middle School she learned the basics of calligraphy and started practicing and improving her skills. In her essay outlining her career goals, Lillie wrote, “Ultimately, I have come to the decision that I want to have a career in Marketing and Graphic Design. I have always loved creating, drawing, writing, and coming up with different ideas for designs.” And, “… learning more about how to turn what I love into a job, I began doing small jobs for people in my community.” In February of 2018, she turned those small jobs into her own business. In her essay, she explained, “I created and designed signs, logos, stickers, labels, monograms, hats, clothing items, and other accessories. Along with these small jobs, my parents tasked me with creating a new logo for our turfgrass business. They only gave me a few guidelines that they wanted to incorporate into the logo, but the rest was for me to figure out and create. There was some trial and error as I was figuring out what worked and what did not work but I was able to create something that we all loved.”
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In her essay on how the turfgrass industry has shaped her character, Lillie wrote, “Growing up and living on a farm that sells turfgrass, along with other row crops, showed me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and the labor that goes into the turfgrass industry.” And, “… I have been able to take these characteristics and work ethic that they have taught me and use them in my daily life.” Lillie played volleyball during eighth grade but opted to try out for the Cross Country team as a freshman and found her sports niche. She says, “I run cross country in the fall, and compete in track during the winter and spring, concentrating on the long-distance running events, the two-mile, one-mile, one-kilometer and 800-meter races. There’s not really a down season for running.” Lillie wrote, “As an avid cross country, four-year varsity runner, team captain, and state qualifier, I have used these qualities that my parents instilled in me to be my best. Being a runner takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful. I have had to put a lot of hours into this sport, strength training, overcoming injuries, and running longer and faster miles to improve my time.” And, “… I have also been able to maintain high grades and be a part of numerous clubs including: BETA Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), DECA, Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), and FFA, along with working on our family farm.” Faith is at the center of Lillie’s life. Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” In her letter of recommendation, Amanda Hesselmeyer, School Counselor, Harnett Central High School wrote, “Lillie is one of the most caring and kindhearted students I have ever met. She is a goal setter and is determined to achieve both her academic and personal goals.” And, “She is involved in many extracurricular activities and she always tries her best in all she is doing.” And, “Lillie has enjoyed being a Peer Tutor at our school.” Hesselmeyer added, “Lillie has a very calming personality and works well with everyone she meets.”
TPI Turf News May/June 2021
