Students, staff, administrators, community members and friends gathered in front of Northwood Elementary School on June 26 to pay tribute to Andrew Rohloff, a Northwood student who passed away at the age of 11 in October 2015. Andrew’s family donated money raised through Go Fund Me to establish three basketball/four square courts on the school’s grounds. The play areas also each feature a bench with a plaque in memory of Andrew.
Principal Kirk Ashton thanked Tim Webber, an architect for LaBella Associates, who was instrumental in designing the play areas which were constructed as part of the Capital Project voted on by residents in December 2016.
“Andrew lives on in all of our memories,” said Ashton. “It is our individual vision and recounting of his legacy that will keep those special memories with us.”
Preston Prince, one of Andrew’s many friends, wrote, “The basketball courts at Northwood give kids the opportunity to experience the gift of Andrew, which is being together with friends and having fun.”
Northwood Teacher Laura Mayer said, “When I look at those four-square courts that yellow box just stands out and reminds me of Andrew’s ‘light bulb moments’ in the classroom and his love of learning and people.” She had teachers and students come up to the podium to recite the many lessons Andrew taught them: choose happy, try your best, be loyal to your friends, believe it and you can achieve it, just to name a few.
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