Rachel Peredery knows about hard work.
She was one of many who worked hard to get what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.
Her style hasn’t changed, but her physical ability to conquer the tasks ahead diminished somewhat after being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a condition similar to arthritis and related to Crohn’s disease.
Peredery accepted an internship with Vital Engineering, an environmental engineering firm in Sherwood Park. Throughout the summer Peredery worked closely with the firm to build a meaningful project within her physical limitations.
“We found we both had this passion for local food and for children and how we could tie those together,” said Peredery.
She presented her ideas to the Rotary Club on starting a school garden and was referred to Westborough Elementary.
“Once I had a plan in place I approached the principal,” said Peredery. “It was really fortunate because they have an inner courtyard in the school that was run-down and they weren’t entirely sure what to do with it.”
Peredery’s garden project earned her a $5,000 UCBeyond scholarship she was eligible for due to her medical condition.
