Members of the Class of 2024 of San Miguel High School, Tucson, AZ, presented the school with artistic and moving gift that both celebrates and memorializes their experience of the Lasallian community at San Miguel.
Class of ’24 members begin the ceremony.
On January 8, Class of ’24 members returned to the San Miguel campus for, “With Hearts Ablaze – A Dedication to Our Community from the Class of 2024.” Joined by a gathering of school faculty and staff members, current students, and alumni, they unveiled an outdoor bench for the school’s prayer garden.
The bench (above) is decorated with ceramic tiles fired and installed by Class of ‘24 members. Its design incorporates numerous images of nature that celebrate the spirit of the school and the heritage of its members…and more.
Several of the tiles honor the memory of Brother Jesus Lara, FSC. Three hearts with the admonishments, “Live Simply, “Teach Passionately”, and “Pray Deeply” are featured on the bench. These are statements that Brother Jesus often cited, even including them in his correspondence signatures. Brother Jesus served at San Miguel for 11 years, including several tenures as interim principal. He died on April 26, 2024.
Attendees receive a traditional smoke blessing.
“This memorial,” says the Class of ’24’s Rene Sosa, “is dedicated to an extraordinary man, Br Jesús, who shaped my future and the futures of so many others. His presence remains in our hearts, his prayers continue to guide us, and his legacy inspires us always.”
The ceremony began in the school gymnasium with readings and prayers, after which it moved to the prayer garden for the unveiling. All present were invited to select colored ribbons to attach throughout the garden as symbols of the prayers and wishes they were leaving with the school. San Miguel faculty member and alumnus Racheal Bailey concluded with a traditional Native American sacred smoke blessing of the attendees and the garden.
Proud members of the Class of 2024.
Reflecting on the message that the Class of ’24 wishes to convey with the gift that they created, class member Aisha Goldschmidt offers, “With this mosaic, we hope to leave a message of devotion—the same devotion we learned to foster and act upon. Just as we devoted ourselves to this work, we hope to inspire future students and staff to embrace their own creativity, community, and faith.”
All photos by Br. Martin Vu, FSC.
Visit the San Miguel High School website.
