West Charlotte High School cuts the ribbon to its Aqua-Dub

Posted on: 3/28/25

West Charlotte High School cut the ribbon to its Aquaponics, “Aqua-Dub,” Center on Thursday, March 27.

Aquaponics is a method of farming that produces freshwater fish and vegetables in a symbiotic ecosystem. The fish provide nutrients for the vegetables and the vegetables clean the water for the fish.

“This is an amazing way for everybody to connect with each other and for us to be able to utilize various areas of our school to come together for a greater good,” said Principal Paula Cook during the ceremony.

Aquaponics is not new to West Charlotte. In 2017, former English teacher Kyle Ward secured a $5,000 grant from the Charlotte Hornets Organization to install an aquaponics system at the school. Upon receiving the grant, Ward and Taylor Conner, science teacher, created the Aquaponics Club.

In 2018, 100 Gardens, a nonprofit organization, installed the original system in the school’s science building, and during the club’s first three years, students harvested leafy green vegetables that they could take home or donate. The program came to a halt in 2022 when the school moved into its new facility, and the system was reinstalled by 100 Gardens during the summer 2024.

The Aqua-Dub is currently run by the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) department and provides students an opportunity to get their service hours needed for OCS without having to leave school. Culinary students are also able to use the produce grown.

OCS students Kim Cisneros and Lamont Johnson are co-leaders of the Aqua-Dub. Both Cisneros and Johnson said they enjoy harvesting the vegetables.

“It’s just like right after you’re done seeing your final product, you’re like, ‘that was worth it,’” said Cisneros. “You take pride in what you did.”

Both Johnson and Cisneros said they hope other students take pride in the system and see the good it’s producing.

“I hope they feel enjoyment seeing us doing something right and that they want to probably do the same thing, take accountability and learn something new,” said Johnson.

“When I look at the aquaponics system, I think of the future,” added Cisneros. “So I hope they get inspired.”