ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — A Rock Island elementary school is honoring one of its late students after he tragically drowned at Lake Potter over the summer.
The family of 10-year-old John Moo, his friends and school officials gathered together Monday morning for the unveiling of a new memorial bench. It's called a "Buddy Bench," with the hopes of encapsulating John's friendly and outgoing nature. People shared stories of John and his impact on their lives.
"He came to school one morning, knowing we were having pancakes for breakfast. He brought out a family-sized syrup from his bookbag, and shared it with kids in the cafeteria. Because really, who wants pancakes with no syrup? Not John," School Counselor Molly McGreevy said.
John's classmates said he was a fierce competitor and one of the best soccer players they'd ever seen, but above all else, he was everybody's buddy.
"To memorialize him was what we needed to make sure that his memory would continue to live on here at Earl Hanson," Sarah Leonard, principal at the time of John's passing, said. "The best way to do that is just have a buddy bench and a place where kids can go to meet other friends, and play any sport or just talk."
His classmates are now in sixth grade, entering their last year at Earl Hanson Elementary School. There will come a time when students will not see the bench every day, but they swore to preserve it and their memories of John as best as they can.
Uncommon Ground handled the construction. The owner, Mike Cavins, heard John's story and went the extra mile, building an entire patio to honor the young boy.