Dylan Toma Kindness Garden
This place on campus was dedicated in Dylan's memory in April of 2021.
Dylan Toma on his first day of 8th grade, August 24th, 2020. The classes that day were over Zoom.
The Dylan Toma Kindness Garden is named in honor of a beloved Crocker student who died during his 8th grade year after a five year battle with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. Dylan is remembered for his strength, genuine kindness, and fun loving personality. The rock garden is an interactive place to remember Dylan and to take a rock as needed and leave a rock for others. Dylan's strength was like a rock, and it is fitting he is remembered on campus in this way. The garden was dedicated in April of 2021, one month after his passing. After his celebration of life on the North Field on April 18, 2021, those in attendance walked to Crocker to paint rocks to leave in the garden.
Many people helped make the rock garden possible; among them were Krista Schweinberg, Kelly Scandalios, Racky Friedman, Mairin Macaluso, Melissa Olsen/Penflora Designs, Louann Carlomagno, Ron Russo, Carlos Tapia, Bonnie Slater, Maria Brady and many others.
,
Above photos (Clockwise from top) 1. Johnny Lau (Dylan's Math teacher at Crocker) addressing the crowd. 2. Christina and Burt Toma waving bubble wands. 3. The crowd heading up from the North Field to the new Kindness Garden at Crocker Middle School.
The inscription on the bench says, "His superhero legend inspires us with courage, resilience and kindness."
Dylan Toma
November 15, 2006 - March 4, 2021
Crocker Class of 2021
Sources:
Interviews with the Christina Ip-Toma and Burt Toma
Original Photos from the Toma Family