Looking back at the sunny sky and the whole school, Katie’s garden was once again sanctified at Alcoa Elementary School 26 years later.
The garden was created in In 1995, one of your students, Katie Dill, died of cancer by teacher Sylvia Roca after she died of cancer. Roca was then able to contact the families of your student to see how they would respect Katie.
“I talked to the children and everyone is an angel,” she said. I bought the book “100 Ways to Attract Angels” and read it to the students.
One of the lines in that book tells us how gardens can actually be a playground for angels. Roca. “That was all they wanted to hear. They wanted to plant a garden. ”
Katie’s garden was shaped by those years ago. Roca thinks that there may be two benches and some flowers for each child.
“We continue to receive money and support,” Roca said.
Katie Susan Dill was born on June 15, 1987. She died on January 20, 1995.
Roca Kathy, now retired, remembers being able to attend school during her cancer treatment. Roca’s classmate for Katie had pillows and blankets to comfort her, and once they came together to read a book.
Since its inception, Roca has been Katie’s gardener. She also remembers other AES students who died, Garrett Jablonski, who died in September 2019 at the age of 10, and Clark Reagan, who died in June 2019. His mother, Miranda Taley, is a teacher with Alcoa. City Schools.
A.D. When the Columbus High School student massacre in Colorado in 1999 was a tribute to the 13 victims in this garden.
Roca has been in charge of this flower garden for the past 26 years. She says it’s hard work for someone. That’s when AES PTO came in.
Last harvest, PTO members began transplanting and adding plants. The Arconic gift has been used with the help of many volunteers. Domestic businesses also contributed.
“Indeed, there were many volunteers who pushed forward,” said PTO member Kelsey Coron. Heather Hector Fikru, a member of the PTO, said she played a key role in bringing the project to fruition.
The renaming includes the revelation of a statue of Katie. Her family – Mama Laura, Father Eugene, Brother Josh and Sister Liz – were present.
Since Katie died a long time ago, current students only know about this considerable tax. Some have asked about her time at AES.
“We wanted her to know a little bit about her,” Love said.
“Katie is beautiful, courageous, talkative, strong, and loved by all who know her,” says the statue.
A statue commemorating Rocky’s years of hard work was also unveiled in Katie’s garden.
Love speaks to Garrett Jablonsky in honor of a small free library set up by local Girl Scout soldiers. His father, Scott, also attended.
The garden has a variety of flowers, but also a stone garden filled with colorful stones from AES students. There is a Ladybug crossing and climate stone.
Roca is not a major gardener and has sometimes been involved in gardening. She used to be a love laborer for her and now she has handed over the responsibility to the PTO.
“They’ve got it for the next 25 years,” she said.
Eugene and Laura Dele and Scott Jablonsky helped release Katie’s garden by releasing 60 butterflies. When the garden was first created, butterflies were released.
Eugene and Laura have returned to the AES in recent months to see the process of rebuilding their son’s garden. The couple still live in Blount County and were greeted by old friends on Friday.
Laura points out the trail of Le’s daughter at the entrance to the garden. The 7-year-old’s Christmas boots were made from the shoes she got from her parents.
“It was an emotional day,” said Eugene as the ceremony approached. “I was fine until I saw Mrs. Rocan. She was Katie’s only teacher. ”
He and Laura shared a special time with the crowd, and he expressed his gratitude for all that had been done for his family. Not all of them were surprising or unexpected. Eugene grew up just a few blocks from school.
“This is alcohol,” said Katie’s father.
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