PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots women's soccer team will be offering Roses of Sharon seedlings to fans all season long, with all donations going to Open School North in North Portland. Rose of Sharon plants are significant to the women's soccer program for several reasons, which includes a plethora of the plants growing behind the main grandstands at Merlo Field.
Open School's mission is to develop connection, capability, and confidence in disconnected youth through relationship-based, quality learning experiences that result in academic, personal, and community success.
"This is something that is special to us because we have been blessed with a wonderful education at the University of Portland, and now we're helping school kids in north Portland receive a proper education as well," said Ellie Boon, a Portland senior defender.