- December 7, 2025
Tomoka Elementary students clap for their principal, Julie Roseboom, at the school's Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County School Board member Carl Persis addresses the students at Tomoka Elementary during their Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volusia County School Board member Carl Persis addresses the students at Tomoka Elementary during their Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ella Pender reads information about Arbor Day at Tomoka Elementary's celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jayla Dixon reads information about Arbor Day while Ben Upchurch and Collin Chase wait their turn at Tomoka Elementary's celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Students take the Arbor Day pledge during Tomoka Elementary's celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lynda Wilson, member of the Garden Club of Halifax Country, delivers closing remarks during Arbor Day at Tomoka Elementary's celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Leah Davis waters one of the new cathedral oaks provided to the school by the city and the Garden Club of Halifax Country during Arbor Day at Tomoka Elementary's celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lynda Wilson, Connie Treloar, Pam Wilson, Sue Avakian, Judy Monaco, Tomoka Elementary Principal Julie Roseboom, School Board member Carl Persis and Tomoka Elementary Assistant Principal Melani Rolle. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ali Alyunis and Teagan Erwin peruse the school's garden during the Arbor Day celebration at Tomoka Elementary on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Maddie DiMayuga tends to a plant during Arbor Day at Tomoka Elementary's celebration on Friday, April 26. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
In celebration of Arbor Day, all seven Ormond Beach schools received three cathedral oak trees by the city.
The tree dedication ceremonies began with Osceola Elementary on Thursday, April 25, and will wrap up with Pathways Elementary on Tuesday, April 30. The tree donations were a joint effort between the city of Ormond Beach and the Garden Club of Halifax Country. This was the first Arbor Day celebrated city-wide in all seven schools.
Tomoka Elementary held its dedication ceremony on Friday, April 26, with students reading poems, reciting the history of the first Arbor Day in 1886 and taking the Arbor Day pledge.
"It's so important for me as a school board member to see all of these young people learning and understanding how important it is to protect our environment," said School Board member Carl Persis at the ceremony. "Nothing more important."
The ceremony was held by the school's playgrounds, and Principal Julie Roseboom said she hopes one day that will become a shaded area.
