Schools

Outdoor Classroom Memorializes 2 Classmates

Las Lomas senior class raises money to commemorate two classmates who died in February 2011 rafting accident.

The class of 2012 at Las Lomas High is raising money for an outdoor education classroom as a memorial to two members of the class who died last February in a rafting accident along Walnut Creek.

Hundreds joined authorities in the search for the two after they didn't return home. Their bodies were found Sunday along the waterway, about five miles north of where they set out near Murwood Elementary School on Saturday.

The senior class at Las Lomas is holding fundraisers to raise money for an outdoor ed classroom in an undeveloped area by the library. Some of the designs of the classroom were done by Matt Miller, said Erin Donoghue, vice president of the class. The senior class is also getting design ideas from individual students.

"The senior class officers worked hard to choose a class gift that would appropriately memorialize their classmates," wrote Sarah Wondolowski, activities director for Las Lomas, in an email. "They worked with administration and their classmates to choose this project. It is fitting because Matt and Gavin both loved the outdoors and this space will give Las Lomas students the opportunity to learn outside for years to come. A dedicated group of Las Lomas seniors have teamed up with some Las Lomas community members with experience in landscape architecture to design the space."

What follows is a press release from Donoghue and the class officers, including an address for contributions:

Nature, relationships, and education — all things that Matt Miller and Gavin Powell adored.

The Senior Class at Las Lomas High School hopes to create an Outdoor Classroom incorporating these things that the two friends cherished. Using designs done by Matt himself, and art from Gavin's creations, we are creating a plan to utilize the undeveloped area alongside the north wall of the library on campus. Once complete, this will be an area where teachers can take their classes for lessons outside the normal classroom environment.

The design process is underway; the Senior Class asked the student body for input and is working with volunteer community members to aid in the design and construction process. We hope that everyone at Las Lomas has a hand in creating this special place.

The Outdoor Classroom will be given to the school as the Senior Class Gift and will be made possible by additional fundraisers and donations from the community. We are asking members of the community to donate in memory of these two beloved students. Donations can be made out to Las Lomas High School with "Outdoor Classroom Memorial" written on the memo line and sent to the school (1460 S. Main St., Walnut Creek 94596). Groundbreaking will begin in the Spring with community work days. Stay tuned for the workday schedule.

Questions and comments can be sent to the Senior Class Officers at outdoormemorial@yahoo.com.


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