- December 5, 2025
School Board member Andy Dance stands with Future Problem Solvers Emma Register, Dylonah Martz and Devynne Martz. Photo by Paige Wilson
Verdego hosts the pumpkin patch where FPS students volunteer during designated hours every day except Sundays. Photo by Paige Wilson
Dylonah Martz, a Bunnell Elementary Future Problem Solver, adjusts the pumpkins on display. Photo by Paige Wilson
Andy Dance, who is the unofficial representative for FPS, adjusts the pumpkins on display outside Verdego. Photo by Paige Wilson
Future Problem Solvers Emma Register, Dylonah Martz and Devynne Martz volunteer at the pumpkin patch. Photo by Paige Wilson
Madison Murphy, Marisa Canizales, Bryce Willis and Aiden White volunteer at the patch on Friday, Oct. 13. Photo courtesy of Andy Dance
Stacey Arnold, Florida State Evaluation Coordinator, and her son, Jacob, enjoy the Future Problem Solvers pumpkin patch. Photo courtesy of Stacey Arnold
Bunnell Elementary School student Dylonah Martz meanders around the pumpkin patch outside Verdego Garden Center with a pep in her step and a quickness to her pace.
It’s easy to see the 9-year-old’s excitement as she tweaks the positioning of about 25 pumpkins that remain on display.
“I like meeting new people and helping them carrying their pumpkins to their car,” Martz said.
Buddy Taylor Middle School students Devynne Martz and Emma Register, plus Dylonah, were the Future Problem Solvers who volunteered at the patch on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Verdego purchased and set up five bins of 30 to 40 pumpkins for the patch to sell from Oct. 13-30. The profits benefit the Future Problem Solving programs at Flagler Schools, as students volunteer their time to help customers at the patch.
“They’re a really good partner with Flagler Schools,” School Board member Andy Dance said about Verdego.
Dance said he’s the unofficial FPS club booster since all three of his children have been a part of FPS at some point over the years.
“A few years ago, I saw how hard it was for students and parents when they got an invitation to go to International to come up with money to get airfare,” he said.
Dance said that the money raised from the patch will help fill the payment gaps for the schools’ FPS programs so students can go to statewide competitions as well as international ones.
While there wasn’t an FPS pumpkin patch last year because of Hurricane Matthew, Verdego Garden Center Manager Carrie Stuart said the patch at Verdego two years ago raised about $1,100 for Flagler Schools.
