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Lewis & Clark Elementary School

A Lasting Legacy: Lewis & Clark Volunteer Remembered During Memorial Rededication

Adam MacDonald, his wife Tomomi and daughter Claire stand with students in front of Sonja's memorial tree.

Adam MacDonald, his wife Tomomi and daughter Claire stand with students in front of Sonja's memorial tree.

On a bluebird morning, a tree stands out in front of Lewis & Clark Elementary with branches outstretched and ready to reveal beautiful spring blossoms – The blossom is an age-old symbol that reminds us to make the best of each moment. Nestled below the tree sits a sign draped with a cloth, waiting to reveal it’s own special reminder of someone who made the most of each moment through volunteer service. 

Wenatchee High School teacher Adam MacDonald’s mother Sonja was a preschool teacher at St. Paul's Lutheran School. She was also a regular volunteer at Lewis & Clark Elementary. MacDonald would often tag along with his mother and help volunteer at the school when he was little. “If there was a PTA event, a fundraiser, a cakewalk— You name it my mom was there,” said MacDonald. He grew up seeing his mother’s dedication to service as a positive example of how giving back helps shape communities and young people. 

Eventually, MacDonald would attend Lewis & Clark and while in the 4th-grade his mother died. Upon her passing, the school honored Sonja by planting a little tree in front of the building with a placard honoring her volunteer legacy. During a recent visit to the school, MacDonald noticed that his mother’s placard had fallen into disrepair; it was faded and nearly illegible. This inspired him to approach the school’s principal Alfonso López with the ideas of replacing the aging sign with an engraved granite marker and organize a ceremony to rededicate the memorial. MacDonald purchased the stone and worked with school staff to have it installed.

On April 15th, MacDonald held a small re-dedication celebration of the tree with his family and students from the school to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sonja's passing. MacDonald spoke to the students about his mother's love of volunteering and the value of giving back to the community through service before unveiling the new granite memorial marker below the tree.  Anxious students looked on as MacDonald’s young daughter Claire pulled the covering off the maker to reveal the stone tribute. 

“My mom was so involved and played such a big part in supporting the staff at Lewis & Clark,” said MacDonald. “I think that’s what volunteers do, they are the tiny fibers that hold the rest of the big tent up. Whereas the teachers might make up the fabric, and the administration makes up the tent poles, the volunteers are the stitching, and they help hold it all together.”

Today hundreds of volunteers like Sonja MacDonald continue to dedicate their time and talents to support classroom learning, school events, and enrichment opportunities for kids all around the Wenatchee School District. This army of helpers is an invaluable resource to our teachers and students and make the District a wonderful place to learn and grow. 

  

 


 

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