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Rehoboth Elementary holds annual Arbor Day celebration

City officials, school staff and students plant and learn about importance of trees
Rehoboth Beach officials and Rehoboth Elementary School students celebrated Arbor Day April 16. As part of the celebration, the winners of a poster drawing contest were announced by representatives from the Rehoboth Art League. Shown are (l-r) fifth-grader Landon Batdorf, RAL Exhibits Director Nick Serratore, fifth-grader Helena Ryan, fifth-grader Rory Booth, RAL Education Progams Manager Sydney Hartman and fourth-grader Sunny Smith. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
April 25, 2026

Story Location:
Stockley Park
Stockley Street
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

Rehoboth Elementary staff and Rehoboth Beach city officials held their annual Arbor Day celebration for fourth- and fifth-graders at the school April 16.

The students began the celebration by walking across Turtle Bridge to the city’s Stockley Park. A proclamation celebrating Arbor Day was read by eight students and Mayor Stan Mills. Rehoboth Art League officials announced the winners of the annual poster contest. There were also a ceremonial tree planting, live entertainment and a sing-along.

The second portion took place back on school grounds under the property’s trees along the south bank of Silver Lake’s northwest prong. The students did a hands-on activity building a tree out of branches and other random materials. They learned about trees and their importance from Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service education specialist, and Mike Lilly, city urban forestry and parks manager. Melvin also provided each student with a loblolly pine sapling to take home.

Arbor Day takes place Friday, April 24.

 

Mike Lilly, the city’s urban forestry and parks manager, explains to students the importance of trees.
Fifth-grade teacher Tina Wright watches while students try to build the tallest tree they can.
The program included the singing of a couple tree-related songs. Shown having fun are (l-r) Avery Yavello, Mia Nadel and Paige Lauser.
Fourth-grade student Sunny Smith and Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills shovel a bit of dirt around the base of a new tree. Smith was the state’s overall winner of an Arbor Day poster contest.
Music is provided by (l-r) John Sheridan, Lavender Browne and Francis “Bunky” Markert.
Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills thanks students for participating.
With the help of Mayor Stan Mills, students read a proclamation recognizing the importance of Arbor Day. Shown are (l-r) Rory Booth, Jade Thompson, Lily Davis, Theophan Vezeteu, Isaac Dalalau, Ilean Meibaum, Mills and Sophia Movkewich.
Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service education specialist, helps with the event every year.
Every student went home with a loblolly pine sapling.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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