The Times Picayune

Gardening Legacy Grows With Scholarship

by Jennifer Jenkins

Louise Spizale must be smiling down from her garden. The gardening award that she established almost 30 years ago as president of the Covington Garden Club recently was designated the Covington Garden Club/Louise Spizale Horticulture Award.

The annual scholarship is awarded to a Covington High School senior who has excelled in agriculture and plans to pursue horticultural studies on a collegiate level. Kay Brandt, recording secretary and a past president of the club, said the scholarship supports the club’s objectives to promote the love of gardening among amateurs and to sponsor and encourage civic plantings and civic beauty.

"We’re pleased to have young people in this field. This award is our way of encouraging them to perpetuate the love of plants," she said. Brandt remembered Spizale fondly. "Louise was a really good member of the club, always sharing her knowledge of gardening readily with others."

The scholarship is awarded to the Future Farmer of America member at their annual banquet. Emile "Chic" Danna, agriculture teacher at Lee Road Junior High, worked closely with Spizale to initiate the award.

Danna was responsible for selecting the recipient when he taught agriculture at Covington High. "Mrs. Spizale never missed one of our banquets to give out the award. She was a good friend and a really good person," he said.

Spizale’s love of gardening went well beyond the award named after her. She worked tirelessly to beautify the community during her two terms as club president. Some of her presidential duties included arranging workshops and presentations; hosting teas, luncheons and style shows; and planning the garden of the month and Christmas lighting contests.

Spizale won numerous awards over the years for her beautiful flowers, at one time receiving as many as 33 blue ribbons in the club’s annual camellia exhibit. She also was named the club’s Woman of the Year in 1975.

The Covington Garden Club/ Louise Spizale Horticulture Award is Spizale’s living legacy to her community. It assures her many contributions to the community’s beautification will continue to grow for years to come.