During my tenure as head secretary at Bow Lake Elementary School, I witnessed many important events. One of the most memorable was on Arbor Day, 1972, when the late Principal Helen Cornell, the students and I planted a two-foot Pin Oak tree in the schoolyard in front of Building One.
The tree grew to great heights (approximately 50 feet tall) and became the object of great respect from me and the community.
In June 2006 we had a gathering of former staff, principals, students to say good-bye the school that is being replaced with a new school.
I have always called the tree "Helen" as a tribute to the principal who had purchased the tree with her own funds. We all loved her and the tree.
During that gathering in June 2006 I talked with the project manager for the new school. I pointed out to him this special tree and asked that it be included in the landscaping of the new school. He agreed that it is a beautiful tree and would try to have it included as part of the new school's grounds.
The tree remained intact during construction all during the time in 2006 and so far in 2007. In fact, in driving by I sometimes would see the workers enjoying their lunches under this beautiful tree.
Sunday morning, July 8, I was saddened when I drove down 42nd Avenue to notice THE TREE was completely gone!
Monday morning I called the project manager at the Highline School District office. When he heard it was I calling, he said, "THE TREE?"
I replied yes and asked who had authorized the tree being chopped down. He said "An arborist, an architect and the city of SeaTac." He had also wanted to save the tree from removal but to no avail.
I presume the tree will be replaced in the landscaping. However, the tree will never be replaced in my heart.
It is so very sad that the tree was taken down-I just can't believe it will be replaced with concrete.
Remember that old poem that is entitled, "Woodman, save that tree"?
A later development that has been brought to my attention is that the district is planning to replace the tree with four new trees and one of them will be dedicated to the new school and to me. I think that will ease some of my loss.
Maxine Hankins
SeaTac
