A Way to remember T MSD opens remembrance garden to remember the 17 students and teachers killed in 2018 MSD shooting
at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, some families of the victims were upset that the building lacked recognition alumni Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Peña o commemorate the fourth of the 17 lives lost in the shooting. The in 2018, “Shine” champions a message of anniversary of the 17 lives lost construction of the new building was a on Feb. 14, 2018 in the shooting overcoming the shooting and uplifting result of the closure of the 1200 building, others who were in despair following the where the shooting took place in 2018. at Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. High School, a remembrance garden The school’s faculty council was “The unveiling of the remembrance located on campus opened for the school involved in the planning process of garden was really melancholy. I felt community on the annual BCPS Day of the garden. The council consists of 11 remorse for those who were inside the Service and Love. members of the MSD school faculty, who garden that knew these students, staff, Those in attendance at the are elected at the beginning of each year friends and family,” freshman Sophie unveiling included the mayors and city to help resolve problems at MSD. Kusuma said. commissioners of Parkland and Coral Meetings between the faculty council, The creation of this garden was Springs, Principal Michelle Kefford, MSD administration, BCPS representatives intended to serve as a continuation of the and some families of the victims were Assistant Principal Jay Milmed and Tom healing and recovery of the families and and Gina Hoyer, the parents of Luke held over Zoom and Microsoft Teams in the community. The remembrance garden order to ensure the remembrance garden Hoyer, who was killed in the shooting. Also at the opening were hundreds of MSD is located in the northeast section of met the needs of the families, students campus and is slightly tucked away from students and teachers, who volunteered and staff. the main areas of the school. Located during the day to give back to the “The committee’s role was to choose just outside the gym, the remembrance community. something that we felt was best for a A rose was placed beside each victim’s garden is open for viewing to students long-term memorial on campus for and school staff; it is not open to the plaque, that displayed their picture and faculty and students,” Faculty Council public. graduation year or staff position and Chair Melissa Falkowski said. “There was “I think the reaction to the garden is a short message about the victim. The a need and a desire from the families to Hoyers placed a rose on their son’s plaque going to be positive,” mother of Alyssa have something be here on campus.” alongside MSD teachers who placed roses Alhadeff, a victim of the tragedy, and The first step for the remembrance on the other plaques. After each name was Broward County Public Schools board garden was a staff survey, which allowed member Lori Alhadeff said before read and a rose placed on each plaque, a MSD faculty to give their input and the unveiling. “It’s important for the moment of silence was observed. insight. students and staff to have a place to go to At the conclusion of the moment of Designs for the remembrance garden remember the 17.” silence, the song “Shine” was played to were discussed throughout the formation After the opening of the 1500 building period, including the use of plaques that honor the lost 17 Eagles. Written by MSD
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would remember each of the 17 victims respectively. Numerous designs were discussed. However, in the finalized garden, a semi-circle brick wall design was chosen. Materials were selected based on whether they could withstand hurricanes and other natural events Florida is prone to. In December 2021, a construction company began by clearing out the existing garden space, which included benches and rocks in preparation for the new remembrance garden. Some items were sent to be reused in MSD’s Marjory’s Garden. The construction began on the week of Dec. 11, 2021 and ended in early February. New benches and foliage were added to the existing garden area, in addition to the semi-circle brick wall with the plaques. The project was funded by the school district. The Eagle Eye contacted representatives from the BCPS Public Information Office and Dr. Antoine Hickman, Chief of Student Support Initiatives & Recovery for information on the total cost of the project. The requests went unanswered. After four years of grieving and remembering, the remembrance garden is a way for members of the MSD community to reflect on the 17 fallen Eagles. Story by Vincent Cuillo
