Hersey memorial garden dedicated May 23

John Hersey High School will pay tribute to beloved JHHS educator S. Kathy Christenson by dedicating a Reading Garden in her memory on the Hersey grounds Wednesday, May 23. Christenson lost her battle with cancer this past fall.

Students and staff want to ensure that future students, who will not have the opportunity to learn from this invigorating educator, will still have the opportunity to be inspired by her.

Christenson’s goal as a teacher was to motivate students to use every moment to improve their lives. At the end of every school year, she would pull out her “Top 50 Things to Do This Summer” to encourage students to avoid the summer malaise.

Christenson lived her life following this same mantra. Whether it was sailing, writing poetry, running in marathons, raising her children, or teaching her students, she continually drove herself to realize her ambitions.

One of Christenson’s passions was literature, and the hope is that students will use the Reading Garden to study, read or to have quiet conversations. This new addition was made possible by the donations of friends, family, students, and community members in loving memory of a special teacher who touched many lives.

At 11:10 a.m. May 23, Hersey students and the community are welcome to stop by this new space, located on the southwest side of the building. English/Fine Arts Division Head Chuck Venegoni and selected students will speak and present at the ceremony. Freshman violinist Gallia Kastner will perform.

“This new space is in the first phase of development,” said Christenson’s colleague, English teacher Lara Becker. “The Reading Garden is an appropriate and fitting way to commemorate such a beautiful person.”

The organizing committee hopes that the Reading Garden will be a work in progress and that future donations will add to the aesthetics.