Hawken 7th grade students have done considerable work over the course of this year to learn about, enhance, and supoprt improvements to the American Colonial Garden in Cleveland's Rockefeller Park.  The student Fundraising Committees from both this year and last year worked diligently at writing grants and letters of inquiry after researching local foundations and visiting the Cleveland Foundation. 

Recently, committee members were thrilled to announce the generous support of The C. Walder Parke Family Foundation, enabling them to move ahead with the restoration of an original 1935 bronze bust of Mark Twain.  Local director for the foundation Richard Parke writes, "The C. Walder Parke Family Foundation is privileged to support your caretaking project at the American Colonial Garden.  The Clevleand Cult5rual Gardens are true treasrues of our community.  Your efforts on behalf of the myriad of consituencies is applauded and greatly appreciated."

With this support, the seventh grade has raised the necessary funds to renovate the Mark Twain bust and return him to his original 1935 home in the Garden.  They are now moving forward with scheudling the renovation with the McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation laboratory, Inc.  The exciting news comes amidst the "Bust Out Twain" school-wide fundraiser to support their Community Picnic held in early June.