By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
A flowering pear tree now stands in front of Hays Middle School in memory of Chloe Medina, who died of leukemia in September at age 2, thanks to the fundraising efforts of Hays Middle School’s sixth-grade class.
Hays Middle School sixth-grade social studies teacher Karen Nowak said the tree was planted Friday morning as a gesture of support for Chloe’s parents, longtime HMS custodian Frank Medina, wife Renee and Chloe’s triplet brother and sister, Olivia and Trey.
Nowak thanked the students who gathered $6,000 in donations in October for the Medina family’s medical expenses and to buy the tree.
“She left a handprint on our hearts that we will never want to wipe away. … Her life was short, but she left a lasting impression on this world.” — Renee Medina, Chloe’s mom
“You guys did an excellent job,” Nowak told the students as they surrounded the tree before planting. “Let’s think about (Chloe) and keep her in her thoughts today and every day.”
Renee Medina also thanked the students for honoring Chloe’s memory with the “beautiful tree” that will bloom next spring.
“It is honor to be here today to dedicate this tree in memory of our precious Chloe,” Renee said, adding out of the set of triplets, Chloe was known as the adventurous one, always exploring the world around her.
“When she got sick, it still didn’t keep her down,” Renee said, recalling how Chloe often ate cheese balls at the hospital, leaving a orange-ish handprint on one of her nurse’s pants. The nurse could never bring herself to wipe the handprint away.
“That is how we feel about Chloe. She left a handprint on our hearts that we will never want to wipe away. … Her life was short, but she left a lasting impression on this world.”
Frank Medina also thanked the community.
“The support from the community has been overwhelming,” he said, adding the pain of losing Chloe will never go away but is thankful the tree was planted in memory of “Chloe the Explorer.”
