Sunday, December 12, 1999
Tree a memorial to Ross students, teacher
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
ROSS TOWNSHIP — A single Aristocrat pear tree stands near the entrance to the nature trail at Ross Senior High School, overlooking the football field. A simple sandstone wall surrounds it, protects it and distinguishes it from other nearby trees.
The newly planted tree was put there by Ross High School's student council as a memorial to the three students who died in auto accidents just three weeks apart, and to Larry Gillespie, the school's beloved business teach er, who died from cancer earlier in the summer.
“It's a strong tree, and it's colorful. It will stand out,” said senior Angela Mayer, 17, who worked with Carrie Bray, 18, to organize the project. “We put it there because it overlooks the football field.”
Rams football varsity starters Adam Brinkman and Scott King were killed in a crash on Kirchling Road on their way home from a morning football practice the day before school began. Three weeks later, varsity cheerleader Melissa ""Missy” Boling was killed in a head-on collision on U.S. 27 just north of the Hamilton County line.
The tree's location was chosen because it could be seen from any spot in the stadium — a place all three teens loved and frequented.
“They all liked it. It's the spot we held the vigil at,” Angela said, in reference to last month's community vigil organized by several Ross area churches.
“I think it's a positive thing and will help with the healing,” said Carrie, a friend of the dead students. “You can go back there and think.”
She sees the memorial as part of the healing process for the tightly knit student body and community. “It's over — not in a bad way, a good way,” Carrie said. “People are beginning to move on.”
Next spring, just before the 2-inch-diameter, 15-foot tree begins to bud, red tulips planted by Lodders Flower & Garden Center will add color to the tree's white blossoms. When fully grown, the tree will stand 35 feet tall.
Landscape designer Danny Bertsch worked with student council in selecting the tree and planning the memorial.
The final piece, a plaque, will soon be added, Angela said.
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