By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The sixth-grade class at Hays Middle School is planting a tree Friday morning in memory of the daughter of a longtime custodian. Frank Medina’s daughter, Chloe, died of leukemia in September at age 2.

Hays Middle School sixth-grade social studies teacher Karen Nowak said students asked for donations and participated in a walk-athon in October raising an “amazing” $6,000 dollars in a short amount of time.

“I think (the fundraiser) helped the kids learn compassion … how they can help people and the understanding of what it means to lose a loved one,” she said. “Because (Chloe) is just a child … they were so motivated and willing to help her and her family.”

Nowak said some of the funds were given to the Medina family to help with medical expenses and funeral costs and the rest of the funds bought the tree to be planted in Chloe’s memory.

“It is a flowering pear tree,” Nowak said. “We talked to (Frank) about what kind of tree he wanted, and he picked a tree with flowers for his daughter.”

Nowak said Frank Medina most likely will not be able to attend the tree-planting ceremony but is “overwhelmed” with the support from the school and the community.

The tree will be planted on in front of  Hays Middle School, 201 W. 29th, at 9:15 a.m. Friday.