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We believe people across our region should admire the initiative shown by Jersey Shore Area High School students, who are designing and planting a memorial garden in memory of Max Engle, the Jersey Shore Area High School student and football player who lost his life last autumn.
"I'm so amazed by these kids and their resilience," Max's mother, Heather Engle, told the students as work began in earnest Monday. "This is perfect, having the space for them to come when they want to spend time with each other and talk to him, and so we think it's just a beautiful idea."
We also believe the plan's growth is both amazing and admirable. As students and faculty told the Sun-Gazette, the scope of the garden expanded as donations from the community vastly outpaced what the plan originally was.
"We ended up being able to do so much more than what I had originally planned … which is exciting," senior class adviser Michelle Persun said. "And then they turned it into a remembrance garden not just for Max, but for any student community member that would like a space."
We look forward to seeing how the project continues to come together, and we hope all members of the Jersey Shore community and surrounding communities see the important contributions these young people are making to Jersey Shore Area School District.
It's important, in times of difficulty and sorrow, to recognize how a community can come together and how community members -- family, friends, neighbors -- can find ways to support each other. The students' hard work and efforts are an excellent reflection of both that togetherness and support and their character and moral fiber.