Manchester Township School District: MTHS Fallen Hawks Memorial Garden Rededicated

Press release from the Manchester Township School District:

2021-07-12

The Manchester Township High School Peer Leaders rededicated the Fallen Hawks Memorial Garden on June 22, 2021. The garden was created in 2012 by members of the Class of 2014, but in recent years has been closed off to students and forgotten.

This year’s Peer Leadership Seminar students took on the project of restoring, improving and reopening the garden, which is located in an interior courtyard of the high school. They refreshed 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. They even met virtually with the original creators from the Class of 2014 to discuss their plans.

The project video states, “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. 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. 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 rededication ceremony took place after school in the courtyard with the Leadership students and many staff members attending despite a light rain.  Principal Dennis Adams explained the project and thanked everyone involved both from 2014 and this year.  He concluded, “We are going to invite some of the parents and members of the family of the fallen hawks to come to this space at graduation or any time that they feel that they want to and this is going to be something that all of Manchester Township High School can respect and be a part of.  So we thank you for their memories that will continue to live on at the Hawk's 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 ‘took on a life of its own’ and became a much bigger job than they expected. “So thank you guys for your hard work and dedication,” she told the students.

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. 

This video contains the project video created by the Peer Leaders as well as footage from the rededication ceremony. Video not showing? Watch on YouTube

This press release was produced by the Manchester Township School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.