Jersey Shore’s Class of 2024 dedicates garden to honor life of late classmate Max Engle

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Jersey Shore’s Class of 2024 dedicates garden to honor life of late classmate Max Engle

The Jersey Shore Area High School Class of 2024 Memorial Committee held a heartfelt ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate a Remembrance Garden in memory of their late classmate, Max Engle, who passed away in September 2023. The garden serves as a lasting tribute to Max’s life and the positive impact he had on his peers and community.

Sultan Sikander

June 20, 2025

6Min Reads

Jersey Shore’s Class of 2024 dedicates garden to honor life of late classmate Max Engle

Home and Garden

On a warm afternoon in mid-June 2025, the Jersey Shore Area High School community gathered for a profoundly moving ceremony: the dedication of a Remembrance Garden honoring the life and legacy of Max Engle, a cherished member of the Class of 2024. The event was more than a simple dedication—it was a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the lasting impact one young life can have on a community.

Max Engle, whose life was tragically cut short in September 2023 due to an injury sustained during a football game, remains deeply etched in the hearts of his classmates, teachers, family, and friends. Though his years were brief, his presence was radiant and transformative, inspiring those around him with his kindness, determination, and infectious spirit.

A Vision Born from Loss

The idea of the Remembrance Garden first took root in the days following Max’s passing. Grief-stricken but determined, the Class of 2024 Memorial Committee sought a way to honor Max’s memory in a manner that reflected his passion for life and love for the outdoors. The vision was clear: to create a tranquil garden space within the high school grounds where students, faculty, and visitors could come to reflect, find solace, and celebrate Max’s enduring spirit.

This garden would not be a mere patch of greenery but a carefully designed sanctuary infused with symbolism and personal touches reflecting Max’s character and his connection to the community.

Collective Effort: A Testament to Community Spirit

What followed was a remarkable journey of collective effort, resilience, and community collaboration. Students spearheaded fundraising initiatives, organizing bake sales, charity runs, and local events to gather the necessary resources. The faculty lent their support by facilitating planning sessions, connecting with horticulturists and landscape designers, and encouraging student participation.

Local businesses and organizations also joined hands, donating materials, expertise, and time. This collaborative endeavor symbolized the community’s unified commitment to healing and remembrance.

The Garden’s Design: Symbols of Life and Memory

The Remembrance Garden’s layout is a testament to thoughtful symbolism. Each element within the garden holds meaning, reflecting facets of Max’s life and values.

The Central Tree: At the heart of the garden stands a majestic oak tree, symbolizing strength, endurance, and the deep roots Max planted in the community. Its sturdy branches reach skyward, embodying hope and the continuation of life.
Flower Beds: Surrounding the oak are vibrant beds of flowers carefully selected for their significance. Sunflowers represent adoration and loyalty; lavender symbolizes calm and devotion; forget-me-nots, fittingly, remind visitors to remember Max always.
Pathways: Meandering stone paths weave through the garden, inviting visitors on a contemplative journey. The stones are engraved with words of hope, love, and remembrance—quotes from Max’s favorite authors, poems penned by classmates, and messages from his family.
Seating Areas: Benches placed strategically throughout the garden offer places for quiet reflection. Some bear plaques commemorating moments and memories shared with Max.
Water Feature: A gentle fountain adds the soothing sound of flowing water, symbolizing life’s ongoing nature and the flow of memories.

The Dedication Ceremony: A Day of Remembrance

On June 18, the garden was officially dedicated in a ceremony attended by hundreds of students, teachers, family members, and community supporters. The air was thick with emotion as heartfelt speeches, poetry readings, and musical performances paid tribute to Max’s life.

Principal Elizabeth Carmichael spoke of Max’s indomitable spirit, highlighting how his courage in adversity inspired others. She remarked, “Though Max left us too soon, his legacy shines through the kindness he showed and the strength he embodied. This garden is a place for all of us to carry his light forward.”

Max’s mother, Susan Engle, addressed the crowd with gratitude and poignant memories. “Max loved this school and this community,” she said softly. “Knowing that this garden will be a place where others can remember and find peace means everything to us.”

Classmates shared stories of Max’s humor, leadership on the football field, and compassion. Several students read original poems and essays, weaving together a tapestry of remembrance that spoke of friendship’s enduring power.

The Garden’s Role in Healing

Beyond its physical beauty, the Remembrance Garden serves a vital role in healing the collective wounds left by loss. For the Class of 2024, grappling with grief during their final year of high school, the garden has been a source of comfort and connection.

It offers a quiet refuge from the rigors of academic life, a place to process emotions, and a space where the memory of Max continues to inspire hope. Faculty members have integrated visits to the garden into wellness programs, recognizing its therapeutic potential.

Educational and Community Engagement

The garden has also become an educational resource, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship and community involvement. Students learn about horticulture, ecology, and landscape design through hands-on experience in maintaining the garden.

Seasonal planting projects, sustainability initiatives, and art installations rotate throughout the year, keeping the garden vibrant and relevant. Local community groups use the space for gatherings, reinforcing the garden’s role as a hub of communal life.

The Garden as a Living Legacy

Perhaps the most profound aspect of the Remembrance Garden is its status as a living legacy. Plants grow and change with the seasons, mirroring the cycles of life and memory. Visitors notice how the garden evolves, with new blooms each year marking anniversaries and milestones.

The garden’s story is now intertwined with the broader narrative of Jersey Shore Area High School, representing resilience, unity, and the enduring human capacity to transform sorrow into beauty.

Reflections from the Community

In conversations with students and faculty, the sentiment is unanimous: the garden is a beacon of hope. Sarah Mitchell, a close friend of Max’s, shared, “Every time I walk through the garden, I feel close to Max. It’s like his presence is still here, guiding us.”

Teacher Mark Thompson added, “The garden reminds us that life’s fragility calls for compassion and strength. It’s a daily lesson in empathy.”

Parents expressed appreciation for the thoughtful tribute. “The garden helps us keep Max’s memory alive in a positive, uplifting way,” said Jennifer Lawson, whose daughter attended the dedication. “It’s a gift to the whole community.”

Looking Ahead: A Garden for Future Generations

As the school year closes, plans are underway to ensure the garden’s care and vitality continue for years to come. Student volunteers will form stewardship teams, and partnerships with local horticultural experts will support ongoing maintenance.

The hope is that the garden will remain a place of comfort for future classes, a site where memories are honored and new friendships flourish.

Conclusion

The Remembrance Garden dedicated by Jersey Shore’s Class of 2024 transcends its role as a physical space. It stands as a powerful symbol of love, community, and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of loss. Through this garden, Max Engle’s life continues to inspire, uplift, and unite those who knew him and those who will come to know his story.

This garden will forever be a sanctuary of peace and remembrance, a living testament to a young man whose light continues to shine brightly in the hearts of many.