Center Elementary Memorial Honors Griffith Girls

Tucked behind Center Elementary School in Plum is a new quiet area for students, classes and the community to enjoy.

The area memorializes Brenna and Mikaela Griffith, two of the school's students —in 2011 during a flash flood on Washington Boulevard.

Brenna was a sixth-grader and Mikaela was a second-grader at the school.

After their death, the community came together to do something special for the family. Teachers, parents, community members and Girl Scouts formed a committee to create a memorial for the girls.

Wall King, Lincoln Way Landscape Supply, JMK Construction and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barbieri donated time, services and money to make it happen.

The round memorial is located in the back of the school, where children have recess. It features two pillars with the girls' names on them.

"We wanted it to be a peaceful, functional area," said teacher Jen Berrott. "We can take our classes down there to read a book or to relax after a nature walk."

School Principal Jeff Hadley said the community is welcome to visit the memorial after school hours and on weekends.

"We thought this would be a good way to honor the girls," he said.

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