On the campus of Westbrook High School, a young oak tree now stands in memory of a student taken too soon.
Last Thursday, in between preparations for graduation, the high school senior class gathered by the football field to plant the tree in memory of Alanna Phillips-Crocker, a classmate who died suddenly May 20.
Getting off busses bringing them from Merrill Auditorium, the senior class formed a large circle around the tree and Phillips-Crocker’s parents, Kevin Crocker and Sandra Phillips, who were on hand to help with the tree planting.
High School Principal Marc Gousse told Crocker and Phillips how much it meant to the school that even in the face of their own sorrow, they have chosen to commemorate their daughter by taking an active part in the senior class’s end-of-the year ceremonies.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a parent who loses a child,” Gousse said. “But if there is a definition of strength, faith and inspiration, Kevin and Sandy, you’re it.”
The choice of an oak tree was the right choice to commemorate Phillips-Crocker, Gousse said, because the oak reminded him of her. “I think an oak tree’s appropriate, because Alanna was very strong like an oak, and yet (an oak is) supple and flexible like she was,” said Gousse.
Alanna’s oak tree, donated to the school by Brian and Deb Shangraw, is planted on a circle overlooking the football field, surrounded by shrubs forming the letter “W.” Gousse said the school chose the spot after a discussion with Phillips, who told him that was the spot where she used to drop her daughter off every morning before she was old enough to drive herself to school.
“Alanna used to come here, and this is a nice place to remember her,” Gousse said.
Before helping to plant the tree, Phillips thanked Gousse and the senior class for helping her family through this difficult time. “I want to thank you all,” she said. “You’ve all been wonderful.”
With that, Phillips, Crocker and several of Alanna’s classmates took up shovels and helped to plant the tree. After they were finished, the entire class stepped forward, and each student placed either a shovelful or a handful of dirt onto the tree.
Then, they all filed into the school to continue graduation preparations, leaving behind a lasting memorial to a classmate who will always be with them in spirit.
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