Remembering (02/06/2009)

DUNKIRK - It may have been cold outside, but the warmth of a community coming together could be felt inside Westlawn Elementary School Thursday afternoon.

And following an emotional assembly which lasted more than an hour in the gymnasium, those warm feelings spread outdoors as school children, faculty, staff, community leaders and parents dedicated the Foster Gardens greenhouse.

Also present were numerous relatives of teacher James "Mr. Jim" Roberts, who initiated the fund-raising drive for the greenhouse in memory of his former life skills student Dalton Foster. Foster died about a year ago.

Doug and Brandy Foster, Dalton's parents, as well as their elementary school age daughter, Breanna Foster, were also present for the ceremony attended by hundreds.

Roberts, who initiated the fund-raising drive while he was still teaching at Westlawn, has since taken a medical leave of absence.

He is currently battling life-threatening pancreatic cancer. He was seated in a wheelchair for much of the ceremony with his wife, Sherry, by his side.

During the program Jay School Corporation superintendent Dr. Tim Long made a special point of complimenting Brooks Fugiett of Mid States Concrete and General Construction Co., Redkey, for having his crews brave the recent siege of cold and snowy weather to hurry and complete the greenhouse project while Roberts was still healthy enough to participate fully in the dedication ceremony.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Roberts, Westlawn principal Jeff Davis, friends Lowell and Katie Kosak, assistant suprerintendent Wood Barwick, Westlawn School secretary Linda Hardwick, and two Westlawn students, Tessa Smith and Gabe Blankenship, who read special letters which they had written in honor of Mr. Jim and the occasion.

Long presented Roberts with the Star of Character Award trophy-plaque which school officials had announced in November that Mr. Jim was going to be awarded. Also a Star of Character - Character in Motion banner was unfurled for display in the elementary school gymnasium.

Barwick read a letter from Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana superintendent of public instruction, commending Roberts and congratulating him on the completion of the greenhouse. "By all accounts, your efforts have been felt not only in your classroom but have been an example of compassion to the entire community. Your dedication to your students and their families is commendable and has impacted countless lives throughout your career," Bennett wrote in his letter.

Roberts embarked on the fund-raising project last year to honor the life skills class first grade student's memory, noting that despite his own physical limitations Dalton loved to see and enjoy the experience of growing flowers and other plants. When Roberts was sidelined due to his illness, friends and supporters persisted in raising more than $10,500 to make the greenhouse dream a reality.

Also during Thursday's program, Roberts read a poem which he had written about the greenhouse project:

"Foster Gardens is such a beautiful place.

It brings tears to eyes; a smile to your face.

It is a great addition to our school Westlawn;

Created by love of many for all the children."

The poem concludes:

"Dalton, as you are looking down from your home above

We can see your bright beautiful eyes; we feel your love.

May your presence here live on and on.

May God continue to bless us all at Westlawn."

Then Roberts thanked everyone for coming, and added: "God bless all of you and all your children."

Next Dalton's favorite song was played - "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" from "The Lion King" movie.

The children in attendance clapped along with the melody, and Davis reminded everyone that this program was organized as a "celebration of life." Earlier the Westlawn principal said that he viewed the overall greenhouse project as "a very positive learning experience.[[In-content Ad]]