November 19, 2008
JOHNS CREEK – It's not unusual to see dozens of students in the Ocee Elementary School Media Center. But on Nov. 14, dozens of students, parents, teachers and staff gathered in the center for a special occasion.
They gathered for the opening of the Ashley Anderson Critter Corner, a large wooden structure housing books and comfortable chairs to curl up in and read.
Students and staff dedicated the structure in honor of Anderson, a second-grader who passed away Nov. 17, 2006 after a battle with AML leukemia.
The idea for the Critter Corner came after Anderson passed away. Friends and family wanted to honor her memory through her love of animals and her love of books.
The idea snowballed from there and through donations and money left over that was raised during Anderson's illness, friends and family decided the Critter Corner would be a great way for everyone to remember her.
"She loved to read and loved animals," said Craig Anderson, Ashley's father. "This community has been so supportive."
Her mother, Gretchen Anderson, said so many people made contributions to the Critter Corner.
"I hope it'll be a unique asset to the school," said Gretchen.
Anderson's Girl Scout Troop kicked off occasion with songs and poems. Her younger sister, Caroline, cut the ribbon marking the opening of the Critter Corner.
"It's a marvelous connection to Ashley," said Ocee Principal Deborah Pernice. "Kids faces light up when they walk through the door."
A framed picture of Anderson is mounted on a wall adjacent to the Critter Corner, which has stuffed animals intertwined through the wooden beams and books next to soft chairs for reading.
At the end of the grand opening of the Critter Corner, Anderson's parents, Craig and Gretchen, presented Ocee Elementary with a check for $1,000 for more books for the Media Center.
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