Earth Day, established April 22, 1970, is intended to raise awareness and appreciation for the planet. For others such as registrar Sonja Bennett, it has more of a sentimental value.

Senior Ryan Peckham stabbed the shovel deep into the dirt drudging up the solid earth beneath him. Sweat dripped from his brow as one of the first warm days after the long dreadful winter lightened his mood. The other boys from his class laughed and joked as they dug the hole.

“It was hot, but getting out of class to help plant a tree didn’t seem too bad,” said Peckham.

Drafting teacher John Gore and a few of his students planted a willow tree in memory of Gary Bennett, Mrs. Bennett’s son who passed away July 14, 2012. It is also in memory of all the students who did not get to complete the journey of high school.

The willow tree was chosen for the event because when Mrs. Bennett’s son was younger, he once planted one outside of his mother’s window. The one outside in the courtyard now has value and meaning because of that memory that she and her family have.

“One day my youngest daughter didn’t want to go home from the library. I had to threaten to whip her with a switch from a tree in the nearby park. When we got home, she threw the switch into the yard and days later they boys found it again,” Mrs. Bennett said.

According to Mrs. Bennett, the willow branch took root, and today the tree is 30 or 40 feet high. The boys used to call it the “whipping tree.”

“It was good to get out there. We showed that we actually cared and made a memorial,” said senior Paden Adams.

Other students who volunteered were seniors Joey Dawson, Will Tenney, and juniors William Hart, Nick Huck, Ethan Peppes, Kyle Eldgrege. Between the two days, each of them put their time and effort into putting that tree into the ground.

“It was fun and the students enjoyed it. It’s good to remember those who have gone before us,” said Mr. Gore.

The tree was planted April 19 and 22 in the courtyard across from the pavilion by Mr. Gore’s drafting and design classes.

“It is remembrance of all those that we have lost at Har-Ber over the years. We hope to have a bench under it later too,” said science teacher Lael Lynch, who takes care of Culp’s Corner.