Shenendehowa High School Memorial Garden
Purpose
The Shenendehowa High School Memorial Garden was designed as a peaceful place to remember students, teachers and staff members who have died during their time at Shenendehowa High School (grades 9-12).
Guidelines for Memorial Stones:
Updated September 2019
Family members or friends of a loved one who has passed during their time at the high school may purchase memorial stones for the garden. To do so, please contact the Shenendehowa High School Principal Ron Agostinoni (agosron@shenschools.org) for information and to facilitate.
Eligibility:
- The garden is intended for:
- Shenendehowa High School students (grades 9-12) who died while attending the high school. Exceptions may be considered for individuals who pass away the summer of their graduation year up until September 1st.
- Teachers and staff members who have died during their time working at Shen High School.
- The placing of a stone in the garden must be approved by the family of the person who has passed.
- Eligibility and placing of a stone must be approved by the principal of the high school.
Requirements:
- Stones are ordered through Adirondack Stone Works at http://www.engravedstone.net/gardenstones.
- There is a specific stone that is used for the garden. Note on the order form that the stone is for the Shenendehowa High School Memorial Garden so the same stone is used.
- Name: Engraved Garden Stones
- Size: 12-13”
- Text: three lines of text
- Font: True Golden
Upkeep, Fundraising and Volunteer Opportunities
The Shenendehowa Building and Grounds Department maintains the garden. Volunteer organizations may contact the Shenendehowa High School Principal Ron Agostinoni or the High School PTSA to raise or donate money for the garden. The Fight to be Healed Round Table Teens typically plant flowers in May and welcome volunteers.
For questions, please feel free to contact the High School Principal Ron Agostinoni (agosron@shenschools.org)
History
The Memorial Garden was started in 1986, when the Senior Class donated a large memorial stone with a plaque that states, “Student Memorial: You Have Not Been Forgotten.” This was placed in the circle in front of the high school and many perennials/shrubs were added over the years by the PTSA.
In 2011, after her son, Luke Romano, passed away from cancer, Annette Romano contacted Janine Cammarata, whose son, Nick, had also passed away from cancer in 2008 and they began the process of making the memorial a special place to remember those who had passed. In 2012, after a devastating car accident took the lives of Deanna Rivers and Christopher Stewart, the group expanded to include their families, students, parents and staff.
In the spring of 2013, the garden redesign was unveiled. The group created a more more open and inviting space that would allow for memory stones of those who passed during their years at the high school to be added. The goal was to make the garden a place that students, staff, and families would feel comfortable walking through or visiting. The collaborative design symbolizes peace, love and hope. The redesign was funded with the help of the high school PTSA and donations from the community and local businesses. The benches were donated by the Cammarata, Stewart, Rivers and Romano families.
