Former classmates honor the 8-year-old cancer victim

Students in Lori Tubbs' third grade class at Mountain View Elementary School gathered in the downpour to watch as a flowering cherry was planted outside their classroom window. The tree is a tribute to a fallen schoolmate; a symbol of hope, rebirth and beauty to honor Jenessa "Boey" Byers. The 8-year-old died Dec. 28 of complications from a rare childhood cancer.

"When Jenessa passed away, the kids wanted to do something for her," Tubbs said. "They wanted to plant a pink tree in her honor." Pink was Boey's favorite color.

Many in the community and around the nation "met" Boey and her family last July, when the crew from ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" came to Corvallis to build the family a custom dream house in a week. The hope was that the house would be more healthful for Boey.

Legend Homes was involved in the construction, and Legend employee Nicki Hurley, who is the mother of one of Tubbs' students, started the tree-planting project. She obtained a grant from the Evening Garden Club, which was used to buy a tree from Garland Nursery. At a discount, the Garland staff provided the biggest flowering cherry tree they had - and planted it for free.

Boey's parents selected the flowering cherry for their daughter. Boey's classmates, in groups, moved the tree memorial along. Some surveyed the playground and decided where to plant the tree. Another group kept the principal updated.

"The district is promoting service learning," Tubbs said, and the tree project was a perfect way to get students fully involved. "You want it to be their project."

In the fall, Legend Homes plans to place a park bench under the tree. The artist who recently helped to paint a mural at the school will return to help students make steppingstones that include depictions of some of Boey's favorite things - such as rainbows and shooting stars. The stones will be placed under the tree.

"Our hope is it's a quiet, restful place for kids to be on the playground," Tubbs said.

During Friday's tree-planting ceremony, Principal Rosemary O'Neil asked the third-graders to talk about their memories of Boey. Many of them remarked on her generosity, her love for other children in need, and her strength.

"I was surprised at how hard she fought," said third-grader Cari Brown.

After the tree was planted, Boey's close friend Nikkole Freeman helped drape a sparkly pink heart garland around the tree. The tree won't bloom until next spring. The students and teachers then clasped hands around the tree to sing a familiar scouting song:

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That's how long I will be your friend."