Helen Leshinsky
Ms. Cameron poses with one of her beloved plants in the library.
September 19th is the birthday of none other than Ms. Elizabeth Cameron. She is known in our community for being a dedicated paraprofessional, always caring about her students and peers, and most of all, for her love of plants. Ms. Cameron plants gardens wherever she goes, and you can enjoy her efforts in many areas of our school. If you see a thriving plant, chances are Ms. Cameron had a hand in it.
Last school year, on May 9th 2025, AMS gave away hundreds of plants to high school and middle school students just in time for Mothers Day. The event took place during lunch in the library for high-school students, with a table full of snacks for students to grab a snack on their way out, and outside at dismissal for middle school. It was organized by Ms. Cameron, Ms. Leshinsky, and Ms. Emmanuel.
The purpose of this plant fair was to give students the opportunity to give their loved ones plants and have a chance to gain responsibility to take care of the plants that they choose.
How did hundreds of plants make their way to AMS? We asked Ms.Cameron how she acquired the plants and she said that she got them by reaching out to plant vendors via postal letters, to ask if they would be able to donate plants. With the help of the Junior Committee, Ms.Cameron sent letters to over 55 vendors, mostly nurseries. She also created a Donors Choose project to buy about 200 plants in 2-inch pots, which students re-potted in a planting party held in the library.
In response to the letters, nurseries contributed an estimated $8-10 thousand dollars worth of plants. The biggest donations came from Altman Plants and Plainview Growers, in New Jersey. The former sent a delivery of over 600 plants from three hours away, while Ms. Cameron and her husband and Mr. Broad, our IEP coordinator drove out to Plainview on a Saturday to pick up about 200 plants. As a result, the plant fair offered all sorts of succulents, vining plants, ferns, and more.
Ms.Cameron started the plant fair because she wanted to share her love for plants. When asked why she loves plants so much, she said, “I just had a passion for plants, and we first started out just having a plant exchange between the teachers.” This year she hopes to get more vendors involved. “If we could just get a whole lot of vendors to come, even with the trucks just giving away plants around Mother’s Day and around Teachers’ Appreciation Day.” Ms. Cameron has inspired many students to also love plants. Sophomore Analea Minaya said she loves the plant fair because, “it’s pretty, and we get to pick our plants.” Asked what she will do with her plant she said, “I’m going to put it in my room, and I’m going to water it so it grows more.”