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6-08 CSHS Leadership Class Delivers Scrapbook as Memorial to Peers, Families

ISLAMORADA (437 words) –The Islamorada Village of Islands Plantation Tropical Preserve and Children’s Memorial Tree Garden on Plantation Key has several trees planted there in memoriam of children who have died. Michele Sutter, Monroe Youth Challenge Program (MYCP) District Prevention Coordinator, has led Coral Shores High School leadership class projects at the garden for the last two years and said, “It’s so humbling because in each class I’ve had students who are connected in some way to a tree planted in this garden.” Leadership student Tyler Burch recently delivered copies of the Children’s Memorial Park Scrapbook to Kelly Everson, President of the Children’s Memorial Tree Garden.

One tree in particular brings special attention to this project because the first anniversary of Luke Floren’s death was last week. His mother is also a teacher at Coral Shores and held the completed scrapbook at the Gazebo dedication back in May.

The loss of loved ones and friends kindled a passion to do good when two Coral Shores High School students photographed each tree in the garden and made a scrap book page to honor each person it represents. When Sunny Booker, chief administrator of MYCP, reviewed the scrap book she said, “As I look at each page I am really moved. Each of these young people’s lives is so touching. This is beautiful and well done.” This project was underwritten by a Florida Learn and Serve grant, as a service learning project of Monroe Youth Challenge Program and the Coral Shores Leadership Class. Class Members Jake Gray and Tyler Burch were project leaders. Fellow classmates, Nick Jackson and Matthew O’Neill joined in and all were responsible for collecting and organizing materials as well as putting the book together.

The original Children’s Memorial Park Scrapbook is a gift to the Village Parks and Recreation Department and can be viewed there. Copies of the scrapbook, to be distributed to families who have planted a tree in the garden, were given to Children’s Memorial Tree Gardens, Inc. Each copy of the scrapbook has as its cover, a copy of an original pen and ink drawing of the Lignum Vitae tree, or “Tree of Life” by Tyler Burch.

Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to foster acceptance, respect, and success in the youth of Monroe County. For more information about this project or any other MYCP sponsored program call MYCP District Prevention Coordinator Michele Sutter at (305) 852-1664 or go to www.keysschools.com. For information regarding Florida Learn and Serve, contact Monroe County School District Learn and Serve Grant Coordinator Sunny Booker at (305) 293-1400 ext. 319.