Molino Park Students Plant Tree In Memory Of Late Teacher

April 23, 2009

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Fifth grade students at Molino Park Elementary planted a tree Wednesday in honor of Earth Day and a beloved teacher that passed away on the last day of school last year.

sharonsmith.jpgOn the final day of school last year, fourth grade teacher Sharon Smith waved goodbye to her students, turned around and lost her breath. She died a short time later. She spent 36 years of her life educating students at the former Molino Elementary School and at Molino Park.

A year later, Mrs. Smith’s fourth grade students have moved on to fifth grade, but they have not forgotten Mrs. Smith, planting the blooming Japanese cherry tree  in her honor Wednesday.

Fifth grade teacher Florence Cutler directed the tree planting after a moment of silence for Mrs. Smith.  Several students from Mrs. Smith’s previous fourth grade class shoveled dirt around the tree. Also, bench was donated by the teachers and staff of Molino Park Elementary and placed beside the tree.

For more photos from the tree planting, click here.

To read more about Mrs. Smith, click here for the NorthEscambia.com article about her death from last year.

Mrs. Smith was also honored as one of the NorthEscambia.com Persons of the Year for 2008. To read that story, click here.

Pictured above: Fifth grade students planted a tree in memory of  Mrs. Sharon Smith on Wednesday. Pictured below: Mrs. Sharon Smith and her fourth grade class wave goodbye about five minutes before their final walk to the buses on the final day of school last year at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Molino Park Students Plant Tree In Memory Of Late Teacher”

  1. Cynthia "Suzanne" Plenkers on April 24th, 2009 10:00 pm

    Ms. Smith was a loving soul and an unforgettable person. She will always be remembered by all of us who had the fortune to have our lives touched by her.

    (A Molino Park parent-volunteer)

  2. Ericca Jackson-Harper on April 24th, 2009 9:06 pm

    I attended Molino Elementary with my great aunt, Sharon, from kindergarten to 5th grade; she actually being my 4th grade teacher. Those were the best 6 years I’ve ever experienced. I’m speechless about this article and the ‘Persons of the Year for 2008″ article. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of Mrs. Smith’s family. Thank you. Thank you so very much for honoring her memory is such a touching and unforgettable way.

  3. Deni Deron on April 24th, 2009 5:50 am

    Thanks. That’s great!

  4. Mrs. P on April 23rd, 2009 7:37 am

    It is a flowering cherry tree.

  5. Deni Deron on April 23rd, 2009 5:58 am

    Great idea. Does anyone know what kind of tree they planted?