Manchester Students Renovate Garden That Honors Fallen Classmates

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township students paid tribute to Manchester students and staff who have died by renovating the Fallen Hawks Memorial Garden at Manchester Township High School.

The memorial, which honors students who died while they were attending Manchester Township High School, and staff members, was renovated by the members of the Peer Leadership Seminar, school officials said. The garden was rededicated on June 22.

The garden, in an interior courtyard at the high school, was created in 2012 by members of the Class of 2014, but in recent years had been closed off to students and forgotten. The Class of 2014 members who created it were consulted in the renovation effort.

The members of the 2020-21 Peer Leadership Seminar took on the project, refreshing the landscaping and added plaques on the wall for all of the Fallen Hawks. They also made a video explaining the project and created a bulletin board with photos and information about each of the students and staff members memorialized in the garden.

"We are renovating the garden not only to revive the space and bring life back to it but also to keep the memories of the blessed souls alive that once walked these halls just like you," the students said in a video they created for the project.

"This space will be open and available for all students as an addition to make it easier to get around the building. Also, it can provide a breath of fresh air, which is much needed in between classes," the students said.

"It is very important to respect this space especially for those that we have lost. We are hoping to keep this tradition alive as we remember the Fallen Hawks that were once a part of our school community," the students said.

The rededication ceremony took place after school in the courtyard with the Leadership students and many staff members attending despite a light rain.

"This is going to be something that all of Manchester Township High School can respect and be a part of," Principal Dennis Adams said. "So we thank you for their memories that will continue to live on at the Hawks Nest."

Leadership Seminar teacher Sarah Paturzo said she is very proud of the students for taking on the project and then sticking to it when it became a much bigger job than they expected.

The garden memorializes students and staff who passed away while attending or working at MTHS. They are:

• George Simmons - Class of 1983
• Charles Redd - Class of 1984
• Juvandy Kinchen - Class of 1985
• Heather Johnson - Class of 2004
• Bernadette Flanagan - Class of 2006
• Francesca Previti - Class of 2014
• Trevor Martin - Class of 2014
• Denasia Davis - Class of 2016
• Kesse Akil Francis - Class of 2017
• Mollie Sue Belasco - Class of 2018
• John Behan - Superintendent
• Thomas Fousty - History Teacher
• Helen Benjamin - Spanish Teacher
• Tara Gardner - English Teacher

The Peer Leadership students involved in the project were: Madison Degnan, Emily Barron, Helena Staples, Crystal Kilfeather, Elizabeth Oliver, Nicholas Isphording, Kelly Feehan, Ally Nielson, Caitlyn Huston, Isabella Orpilla, Camryn Sims, Destiny Adams, Karina Camarena, Marley Petti, Derrin Smith and Danielle Gaughran.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Manchester Patch on Facebook.