I.S. 211 Holds Feast & Memorial For Student

(Clockwise from top)Borough President celebrates with I.S. 211 students; one of many remembrances of Omar Rivera posted on gym walls; principal shows off dance moves; student ushers and greeters, Simmons-Peart (left)with Baez, holding plaque and Markowitz with a proclamation. Photos by Bennett Silverman

What could have been a somber event was transformed into a beautiful celebration when the John Wilson Intermediate School 211 community and a few special guests participated in a salute to 12-year-old Omar Rivera, a student who succumbed to the superbug MRSA last month, and a Thanksgiving celebration.

Over 200 students, parents and grandparents attended the celebratory and memorial feast - to demonstrate their love and concern for one another and the deceased youngster - in the school's gymnasium last Saturday.

Rivera's family was apparently still too grief-stricken to attend, but a representative, Jacqueline Baez, of Parent Outreach, was there to accept a me-morial plaque from principal Buffie Simmons-Peart on behalf of the school.

Before the festivties began, the principal spoke of the school community's lingering sorrow since they learned of Rivera's passing last month. She went on to congratulate her students of the "A" grade received in the recent Department of Education Progress Report.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz stopped by and helped kick off the feast, which included turkey and all the trimmings, plus fruit and beverages, prepared by the school staff and PTA.