The Mayor then introduced that student, Andrew Hicks, who is now a junior at Notre Dame High School in Riverside. Andrew addressed the audience of about 500 city and business leaders. Here are his remarks:
I remember when I was younger, my parents would always talk about the sweet scent of blooming citrus trees. Thanks to a nearby orange grove, I would smell this enchanting aroma on my way to school each spring. But one day, all those orange trees were cut down. I was disappointed. A few days later, Mr. Montanez came to my school to meet with my Student Council. After we met the mayor, we had an insightful question and answer session, where I asked what had happened to all those orange trees near my house. I also proposed the idea that we should plant an orange tree at our school. To my surprise, Mr. Montanez grew that little idea into the Corona Citrus Challenge: A movement to bring Corona’s history back to the present.
Corona was made to grow citrus trees. Citrus trees thrive in consistently sunny environments with plenty of fertile soil. Corona hardly ever freezes because of its ideal location at the base of the Santa Ana Mountains with exposure to the Santa Ana winds. It’s no wonder that 80 years ago, Corona had 2,400 acres of lemon groves, and our city was known as “the Lemon Capital of the world.” But we don’t have to focus on lemons; the citrus family includes oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and many more. Personally, I have an orange tree, and it’s been a treat to watch it grow in my own backyard. But the greatest thing about owning an orange tree has to be the access to fresh oranges in the fall.
So now I urge you to join us in this campaign. Help us bring back the Corona from decades ago. All we ask is that you plant one citrus tree of your choice in your backyard. Make it a family event. It’s not difficult to plant, just make sure you set it in a spot that will get a great amount of sunshine and water. Right now is the perfect time with spring just around the corner. When you plant your orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit tree, post it on social media with the hashtag Corona Citrus Challenge. If you don’t know how, just let me know! I’d be happy to stop by your home or business and help you post a selfie of you and your new citrus tree. Together we can join the movement to revitalize the rich history of Corona, and with one tree at a time, we can enjoy that sweet smell of citrus blooms all over town next spring.
So taking the challenge of St. Edward School to “Make a Difference,” the Corona Citrus Challenge was born. Mr. Montanez and Andrew, both St. Edward alumni, will assist the Student Council with the citrus planting in front of St. Edward School in April.