As you know Andover High School, where all 17 of you graduated, is being torn down and a new high school is planned on that site.
As you can see from the picture, very little of the High School stands except for the science hall.
However still alive and vibrant was the tree the Senior Class of 2000 planted at Andover High School in Memory of Julie (a senior then) who passed away with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2000. The tree was planted in the courtyard and has been growing each year.
With the demolition of the school, Mary has been instrumental in trying to save the tree. She contacted school superintendents, planners, and construction people in an effort to save the tree. They did not have a place for it in the new High School so Mary arranged for it to be dug up and moved.
Here it is on the truck as they left Andover. This was a big job and we are so tickled that this memorial tree was spared and saved.
Mary picked the spot on the farm on the expansive front lawn, front and center next to the bolder Bry dug up by the old basketball hoop. These pics were not taken with my Leica but do show what happened.
That is a great spot. Andover will also bring out the circle of bricks that surrounded the tree.
About two years or so ago, Mom and I visited the awards night at Andover High School, and presented the Julie Memorial Scholarship that Mom, I, and Jon Huntsman funded in 2000. That scholarship, still going, will be transferred to the new Bloomfield Hills High School. During the ceremony, I spoke of the award ($1000) given to a scholar athlete picked by the school as Julie was both. I mentioned that all 17 children graduated from Andover and there was a little gasp. Mom presented the award. The school holds a deep place in our hearts. We appreciate their efforts to save this Memorial Tree now on Bryan's farm.
Thanks to Mary, Bry and Andover High School for this effort.
Love, Dad and Mom
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