Teresa Koster of Dayton Wins St. Mary's County Garden Club Scholarship

ST. MARY'S CITY, MD (06/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Teresa Koster, a Dayton native and student at St. Mary's College of Maryland, was recently awarded the St. Mary's County Garden Club Scholarship. Teresa is an environmental studies major who will graduate in 2013. She was awarded the scholarship for her interest and activity in the field of sustainable agriculture and environmental education.

At St. Mary's College, Koster is studying environmental studies and educational studies, with the goal of being accepted to and completing St. Mary's College of Maryland's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. She is completing her St. Mary's Project about the use of horticulture therapy in a special education setting.

In the past, Koster has volunteered with Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that focuses on education and aid related to sustainable agriculture and husbandry practices. She also volunteers with the College's campus community farm and with GED tutoring at local high schools, and she is the leader of the College's vegetarian food co-op.

"Involvement in [the campus community farm] has provided me a great source of engagement in the greater St. Mary's County community," says Koster. Because of this experience, she says, "I am extremely interested in sustainable agriculture and would like to pursue a career in organic farming."

St. Mary's College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. More than 2,000 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland.