SES dedicates Mason park

Last Friday, on a warm October afternoon, Carbon County School District (CCSD) No. 2 teachers and staff gathered on the west end of the Saratoga Elementary School (SES) at 3:45 p.m. to remember the late Annette Mason, a former teacher at SES. Mason, who taught for over 20 years, passed away in January following a lengthy battle with cancer. In her memory, teachers and students of the elementary school had established a small park alongside the building.

Three trees, two colorful benches and numerous painted rocks fill the small park. In attendance were Mason's son, Mason Kelley, retired SES teacher LeAnn Uhling, CCSD No. 2 Superintendent Jim Copeland and several others. As the sound of kids walking home and school buses passing by filled the air, Luke Spiering stood before the small crowd and told them how the idea for the park came about following a rock painting project.

Following Spiering, Uhling stood in front and stated how the shining of the rocks in the sunlight reminded her of Mason's spirit and personality. Finally, Kelley stood up and thanked everyone for the memorial to his mother, adding that he knew she would approve of it.

The benches, painted in purple and gold, bear the words "Friendship Bench" along the bottom and are large enough to accommodate two adults and were built with the intention of fostering friendship between students. As the small dedication came to a close, those in attendance were informed that they were more than welcome to contribute their own painted rock to the small park in memory of Mason.