Contributed by Lori Ruhlman

Image: As they gather in the courtyard, visitors marvel at the gardens. Sitting on a bench are Elizabeth Shoenfelt, current Environmental Club president, and Elli Krause, an active member of the club.

The sounds of the Skaneateles Madrigal Choir filled the courtyard at Skaneateles High School on Tuesday evening as a crowd gathered to celebrate three years of work that turned the gravel hole between buildings into a place of beauty.

Principal Georgette Hoskins said the courtyard represents vision, persistence and collaboration. She said it is a tribute to the students who had the vision, used persistence and collaborated with staff and community members to make their dream come true. “It is also a beautiful tribute to those who were once a part of our school community, from students whose lives ended prematurely to staff who dedicated themselves to students,” she said.

Superintendent Phil D’Angelo Jr. said the amazing effort that went into making the courtyard a reality is the type of thing that makes him very proud to be a part of the Skaneateles community.

Patience Brewster attributed much of the success of the student-led project to Rick Garrett, teacher and Environmental Club adviser. She called him a “magical person” whose quiet guidance made others join in and work hard.

Brewster and her husband, Holland Gregg III, made the largest of many community donations to help complete the project. Their donation was in the name of their son, Holland C. Gregg IV, who died in 2005 from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Image: Patience Brewster and Holland Gregg, two of the speakers. The Madrigal Choir can be seen listening to them.

Gregg told students that the courtyard is “a perfect example of what you can do when you have a dream.” He told the students that he hopes they will long remember the experience of coming up with an idea, believing in it and making it come true.

In addition to Holland C. Gregg IV, the courtyard is a memorial to Bruce Kulik, Matthew Angelillo, Anne Holland, Aubrey Ciraolo, Martin Miesner, Lindsay Harris and Mark Ozminkowski.

Environmental Club President Elizabeth Shoenfelt said the courtyard is dedicated to students – past, present and future.

The adults who spoke couldn’t have agreed more. The praise all went to the students who had the vision and persisted for three years until it became reality.

Brewster said it well when she looked out at the students who did the work, and at the students who sang the sweet songs that filled the courtyard.

“Life goes on in a beautiful way,” she said.

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