For Quinten Hartlen-Melo, graduating from NC marks a new direction in his life, from previously performing in the circus to working with plants in the greenhouse. Inspired by a lifelong love of gardening, he enrolled in the Greenhouse Technician program with an open mind and quickly developed a passion for horticulture.
During his NC journey, he took on a part-time role in the Teaching Greenhouse that allowed him to get involved in campus life, including helping organize Seedy Saturday and delivering workshops.
While pursuing his passion through his NC education, Quinten earned the Dean’s Award for the School of Environment and Horticulture is graduating with the highest grade point average in that school.
Now working full-time as a gardener with Niagara Parks, Quinten is excited to celebrate convocation on June 13 and begin his next chapter.
Q&A with Quentin Hartlen-Melo:
How do you feel about your upcoming convocation day/ what does it personally mean to you?
Convocation feels like a final hoorah for my time at school — a way to mark all I have accomplished in the last year and a half.
What were you doing before attending NC?
Before NC I was a professional circus performer working on cruise ships all over the world. Then Covid came to town and changed it all. I got a “temporary” job as a barista in Grimsby that ended up lasting nearly 4 years. I decided it was time for a change and my husband who is an NC Viticulture alumnus, pointed me towards the college. I’ve always had a passion for plants and the energy they bring to a space, I think I got this from my mother whose exceptional gardens sparked the joy of horticulture in me.
What led you to study at NC and to your program of study?
I came into the program focused of pest management and insects but through the many different courses I took, grew to love every aspect of horticulture and greenhouse growing.
Did you face and overcome any challenges to graduate?
Of course it wasn’t always easy, I have many people to thank for my success, from exceptional teachers, friends and classmates to my parents and family. Most of all I want to thank my husband who supported me through the whole process, without him I couldn’t have achieved what I did.
Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program?
During my studies I didn’t do a co-op as I was a January start, I did however get hired to work part time in the NC teaching greenhouse. I learned so much from the dedicated technicians and faculty. I had the opportunity to lead workshops, lectures and even be involved with organizing the seedy Saturday event.
What have you been doing since you completed your studies at NC?
As for what I’ve been up to since finishing my last semester, I got a job with Niagara Parks as one of two gardeners responsible for the whimsical creatures mosaiculture garden attached to the floral showhouse. I am just coming up on two months working and I love it. I get to bring giant sculptures to life by filling them with plants, almost like giant chia pets. I can see myself attached to this garden and Niagara Parks for a long while but would love to one day return to NC as a teacher and share what I have learned. I’ve never been one to fully plan my trajectory, I usually just follow my feet and go where they lead me.
I am grateful for this new start on life that NC has given me and am only hopeful for my future.
