James M. Bennett Rededicates Memorial Garden

SALISBURY, Md. – Many gathered on Wednesday afternoon at the James M. Bennett High (JMB) for its Memorial Garden rededication on its 25th anniversary.

Cassidy Feeney, a 2014 JMB graduate and advisor for the garden, led the rededication ceremony. She presented a white rose to the families of the JMB Memorial Garden’s first three honorees, as well as to its six newest honorees. New remembrance bricks will be added to the garden walkway to honor their memory. 

Lori Sterling, Jessica Smith, and Adam Travatello are three class of 2000 students whose tragic passing was the inspiration for the garden’s creation. At the rededication, their names were added to newly installed plaques at the base of crape myrtle trees that had been planted in their honor.

The garden is an important place of reflection for the extended JMB community. It was originally located between the A and E classroom wings of the old JMB building. The garden was carefully preserved in 2010 while the old building was demolished. It now stands in front of JMB, easily accessible to the school community and the public from the auditorium parking lot.

Jake Day, a 2000 JMB graduate and Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development, talked about how he, an aspiring architect, designed the memorial garden in his senior year at the request of the the school’s Student Government Association. He recounted that the project had the support of a number of adults including his favorite teacher, Doug Greiner, and then Principal and later Superintendent, Donna Donohoe Hanlin.

County Executive and former JMB teacher, Julie Giordano also presented a recognition certificate to the school for the garden.

For more photos and information about the rededication ceremony, click here.