Local elementary dedicates track in memory of two students
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IDAHO FALLS — A local elementary school is making great efforts to rally around two families who’ve lost young students.
“Brayden. He’s our little prince charming always had a smile — it was wonderful,” mother Jennifer Berry says.
On Monday, administrators at A.H. Bush Elementary dedicated a new track, the Bush Broncos Memorial Trail, in memory of the two recently deceased students. Seven-year-old Brayden Berry passed away of a sudden illness in March, and 11-year-old, Curtis McAbee passed away while playing a game in September.
During this hard time Curtis’ mother Bonny Jacobi says she’s had an outpouring of love from the school as well as her family and the people close to her.
“I think that this is great. It started with Brayden’s family that they were going to do it for and they included us and I just think that it’s amazing,” Jacobi says. “I think that we’ve had a great deal of support.”
Both families say they’ve appreciated the support from the community, and feel this is an excellent way to remember the precious boys who were lost.
“We’re excited to be here. The kids enjoy it. I think it’s fun because the kids get to run around the track and play, and remember why it was created,” Berry says.
Since September $3,000 worth of funds was donated to the project. Parent Teacher Organization Co-President Jylisha Campbell says this project has been about a year in the making.
“It’s been a lot of work, but worth every single moment. The faculty, the families, the students have all really gotten behind us,” Campbell says.
The Broncos Memorial Trail is open to children, as well as the general public during after-school hours.
His favorite thing to do was play soccer, ride his bike. He would have loved this (track). I (could) see him bringing his bike on the weekends,” Jacobi says.
