Remembering one of their own
Sarah McFeeley and her father, Jim.
Courtesy photo Jim McFeeley next to the bench that was built and dedicated in his daughter’s memory.
Courtesy photo Sarah McFeeley always enjoyed homecoming, which was part of the reason that the bench was unveiled at this time.
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD The bench was built by members of the Kellogg High School metal shop. Pictured are some of the people who helped with the bench. From left are Julie Hansen; Jeanne Hendrix; Sarah’s mother, Crystal Moore; Michael Senteney; Brandon Hoxie and Ashtyn Isais.
KELLOGG — Earlier this week, Kellogg High School unveiled a purple and gold bench that was dedicated to the memory of Sarah McFeeley.
McFeely passed away in early 2017, but her memory has been cherished since the day she passed.
Current KHS students Michael Senteney, Ashtyn Isais, and former KHS student Grant Nearing began working on the bench last school year with shop teacher Brandon Hoxie.
Hoxie and the students used equipment from the school to make and design the bench that was inspired by Sarah’s heart, spirit, and participation in Special Olympics.
The timing of the unveiling came near a time that was especially near and dear to Sarah’s heart and made sense for the school.
“Sarah loved homecoming and parades and especially the color purple and we all thought it would be a good idea for it to be done by homecoming so that the bench could be on display for homecoming spirit week,” KHS teacher Erin Stevenson said. “It might even be in the parade on the senior float, since Sarah would have been a senior this year.”
Sarah’s senior class is still at KHS and they continue to miss her.
“I think we all miss Sarah a lot,” senior Kat Rauenhorst said. “Sarah and I went to elementary school in Pinehurst, so we grew up together and she was such a big part of our class. It still feels weird that she won’t be graduating with us this year.”
KHS was an important part of Sarah’s life and this honor would have been something that she would have treasured.
“Kellogg High School was a special and important place to Sarah because she had many people who loved her and helped her here,” Stevenson said. “She enjoyed participating in all of the fun activities and events that happen here at KHS. She enjoyed attending football games on occasion as well.”
Stevenson wanted to give a special shout out to John Wagner, who did the powder coating work on the bench, for donating all of his work.
As mentioned, the bench may be on display during Kellogg’s homecoming parade early next month, but it is also on display right outside the high school office now.