“Josh’s Swing” is dedicated

Monday, May 22 was a day of celebration and remembrance for a former Horizon first grader and his teacher.

Joshua Ackerley was a first grade student of Mrs.  Joann Hartline’s in 2011-2012. Josh died in the Fall 2016 after a long illness.  Mrs. Hartline applied for WNDU and Martin’s Supermarkets “One School at a Time” grant shortly after his death. 

In Josh’s memory, Mrs. Hartline worked to have a new wheelchair-accessible swing added to Horizon’s primary grades playground. She then applied for the “One School at a Time” grant from WNDU and Martin’s with the goal in mind of being able to add more play equipment for students with disabilities to Horizon’s primary playground—a fitting lasting tribute to Josh that will continue to benefit other children for years to come!

The Ackerley family and many of Josh’s former classmates (now sixth graders at Discovery) were on hand today not only for the check presentation, but also for the ribbon cutting and official dedication of “Josh’s Swing.”  May 22 hold’s special meaning for Josh’s family and friends because it would have been Josh’s 12^th birthday. Mother Tracey Ackerley cut the ribbon and also unveiled an engraved memorial marker at the ceremony.

WNDU’s Tricia Sloma was on hand to present the $1,000 grant check to Mrs. Hartline.

The memorial marker was made possible through the generous donation of Tony McDonald from South Bend Memorial Works.