A tree grows for Chris Schroeder

Nihal Majumder, right, president of the class of 2013, presented a memorial plaque to Chris Schroeder’s parents, Wally and Carole, to place in front of the tree.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

The tree in Schroeder’s honor was dedicated on May 15 at South High School. Members of the Junior Fire Department, which Schroeder belonged to, took part in the ceremony.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Liz King-Giordano handed out purple ribbons symbolizing Schroeder’s favorite color.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Chris Schroeder was a member of the Junior Fire Department, which had a color guard at the ceremony.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Robin Lazzara, Demi Moore and Brianna Fernandez sung “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” accompanied by Liza Poserio on the ukelele.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Several current and former students gathered to pay tribute to Chris Schroeder.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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See more photos from the ceremony here.

When South High School Principal Maureen Henry noticed the on-and-off rain last Thursday morning, she never once thought about canceling the Chris Schroeder tree dedication scheduled for that afternoon. She was convinced Schroeder would come through in spirit and bring forth the sun.

Her instinct was right. By 4 p.m., the sun was shining bright as more than 100 people gathered in front of the school to pay tribute to Schroeder, who died last June after a two-year battle leukemia. He was a senior at South.

Schroeder’s parents, Wally and Carole, donated that tree that was planted in front of the school. The class of 2013, made up of 243 of Schroeder’s classmates, used its leftover funds for a memorial plaque.

Class advisors Emily Affonso-Bojsa and Nicole Sweeney made sure to carry out the request, which was the senior class gift to the school. Affonso-Bojsa estimated that about 50 members of last year’s senior class attended the May 15 ceremony, which she said was a good turnout with many still away at college.

Among those were Nihal Majumder, president of the class of 2013 who said he just got back from school the day before. “It was just a nice way to honor Chris again, everyone coming together,” he said.

Henry said that as new students enter South, many will see the tree and wonder who Schroeder was. She noted that there will plenty of people around to tell them many wonderful stories about him.

“Chris a very, very special member of the class of 2013,” she said, “and he was someone who was really beloved by the entire student body at South High School, as well as the administration, the teachers and the entire staff.”

Michele Marcus, Schroeder’s bowling coach, said she loves the location chosen for the tree. It was planted beside the walkway students use every morning when they arrive at South.

Marcus said she constantly thinks about Schroeder and memories of him pop into her head for no reason at all. “Inherently I know that he will remain in my heart, always,” she said.

She added that Schroeder was full of joy and enthusiasm, and had a great sense of humor but also was serious when he needed to be.