What started as a brainstorm on sticky notes during Leadership Beatrice has grown into something far greater than any one person imagined. The Leadership Beatrice Class 19 came together as strangers, united only by a desire to serve their community. Today, they stand together as visionaries, collaborators, and the proud creators of the Community Cancer Garden of Life & Legacy…. a living, lasting tribute to those impacted by cancer in our area.

The seed for the garden was planted early. In the first few weeks of the program, the class gathered to begin shaping their group project, an essential part of the Leadership Beatrice experience. They filled the room with their ideas, jotted down notes, and spent hours in conversation. With every brainstorm and discussion, one central theme kept surfacing: they wanted to create something meaningful and lasting. From that spark, the concept of the Community Cancer Garden began to take root.

The class formally proposed to the Leadership Beatrice Advisory Committee, and with heartfelt purpose and thoughtful planning, it was approved. What followed was months of collaboration, logistics, and behind-the-scenes effort, The class worked tirelessly with the City of Beatrice to secure a space for the garden, establish committees, and thoughtfully design the garden with the help of the Landscape Management Program at Southeast Community College.

Now, the Community Cancer Garden has officially started to bloom, and specialized committees are in place to see it through every stage of development and beyond. Every person involved has a role to play, from construction to care, ensuring the garden remains sacred and serene for years to come.

The Community Cancer Garden of Life & Legacy is more than just a class project. It is a gift to the community and a place for hope, healing, and reflection… A space where stories will be shared, lives honored, and legacies preserved. In bringing this project to life, the Leadership Beatrice Class 19 not only grew as leaders, but they also planted something that will grow for generations.