Arrowhead participated in a plant swap in April and the first week in May 2023. Led by library aide Ann Anderson, the plant swap entails students bringing in plants to the North Campus library and taking one.

In an email sent to AHS staff, Anderson says, “Earth Day is April 22 and May is Mental Health Awareness, what better way to GROW Earthly and Mentally at once.” 

Senior Chloe Maple said, “I think it is good Arrowhead is acknowledging those dates.”

The idea stemmed from the appreciation of the earth and mental health.

Earth Day first started in 1970 due to Senator Gaylord Nelson creating it as a means to promote the need of environmental acknowledgment and make it mainstream. A good way to take part in Earth Day would be to pick up litter and plant trees or flowers. 

In 1949, May was officially deemed Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. Congress due to the increased number of veterans who experienced mental health problems from World War Two. People are asked to take care of themselves during May; meditating, speaking with a professional, and taking online mental health screenings can be excellent ways to take care of yourself.

Plants are shown to be beneficial to people. The World Economic Forum states that plants can help improve focus and memory while increasing pain tolerance and lowering the levels of stress. Physical benefits can include better air quality, 

May is National Flowers Month, following up April’s National Native Plant Month. The phrase ‘April showers bring May flowers’ stems from May being the month of flowers. With the temperatures rising and the weather becoming sunnier in May, many bugs that pollinate start to come out more, helping the growth of flowers and plants. 

Senior Kate Sprinkman said, “I love plants so the idea of a plant swap sounds great.”

The name ‘May’ is inspired by the Roman Goddess Maia who embodies the concept of growth, nursing, and fertility according to Theoi Greek Mythology. All the months of the year get their names from Greek and Roman deities.