During spring break, many students and even a few teachers relaxed and tried to enjoy every minute, while a few others spent their spring break at the high school working. Mr. Korson, Mr. Borsenik, and many other teachers took time out of their spring break to work on a special project.

A memorial for the late Jan LaCroix is in the process of being crafted. The memorial will include a bench and a flowering pear tree. There will also be a plaque placed on the brick wall. “Mr. Korson and I were talking about a month ago and we thought that we should do something more than just the scholarship in Mr. LaCroix’s name. We thought that having a bench there would represent who Mr. LaCroix was. He was a very laid back guy and we wanted to create a memorial that would match his personality. Students can go sit on the bench on a nice spring or fall day, and still be able to remember Mr. LaCroix, and the way he was,” explained Mr. Borsenik.

Before spring break, Mr. Borsenik and Mr. Korson went around the school and collected donations from teachers and staff for the memorial. “Mr. LaCroix did a lot for the students and the school. It will be nice to have a permanent reminder,” said Mrs. Hahn. Mr. Korson is also donating a flowering pear tree. Mrs. Sweebe is donating perennial flowers, bushes, and other types of flowering plants.

Even some student groups helped with the financing. Student Council and NHS donated money to help with the costs of the memorial. The senior class decided not to just donate money, they donated the bench. “This year’s graduating class was the last class that Mr. LaCroix had. We wanted to donate something that would just be from the senior class,” senior class advisor Mrs. Flaminio explained.

Mr. Korson and Mr. Borsenik spent the Monday of spring break preparing the area for the memorial. On Tuesday, they came back to the school along with Mrs. Hahn and Mr. and Mrs. Owen to lay the mulch and install the bench. “I believe that if you’re having a bad day, this [Mr. LaCroix memorial] will be the place to go. If you can sit there and feel his presence, your day will brighten up,” said Mrs. Hahn.

Most of the construction is complete. The group is just waiting on warmer weather to plant the garden. When the memorial is complete, their will be a ceremony honoring the life of Mr. LaCroix. Mr. LaCroix’s family and all of the groups and individuals who donated their time, energy, and money are invited to attend.