Seldom can remarkable achievements evolve out of devastating tragedy, but that is exactly what has transpired at Rockwood Centennial Public School.
On June 10, the school hosted an opening ceremony for the Ashlynne Rayner Memorial Library, which was re-named in honour of Ashlynne Rayner, a kindergarten student who was killed in a tragic school bus accident in 2007.
Jackie Davis-Rayner, who described her daughter Ashlynne as “a happy girl who bounced around the house,” told the crowd she was happy to see the library evolve into “a place where [students] will learn and they will come to find answers.”
Davis-Rayner said her daughter loved to learn, as evidenced by her first day at school, when Davis-Rayner was expecting some apprehension from her five-year-old daughter, but Ashlynne simply said “Bye mom” and skipped off to class.
“[This is] a touching tribute to a girl who loved to read and tell stories,” Davis-Rayner said of re-naming the library.
She added family members are honoured to have the library named after Ashlynne and they are comforted by the fact her legacy will live on.
Mackenzie Rayner, Ashlynne’s older brother who cut the ribbon to officially open the redesigned library, said he is very proud to have the library named in honour of his sister.
He shared several stories about Ashlynne’s love of the movie The Princess Diaries and also of her favourite activities which, in addition to reading, included playing dress up.
Mark Bailey, chairman of the Upper Grand District School Board, echoed the thoughts of many on Monday when he said, “It takes a community to both mourn and to celebrate.”
He told the crowd he was pleased to see so many people in attendance and noted the decision to honour Ashlynne’s memory was made “unanimously and without hesitation” by the board in February.
Several speakers at the official ceremony spoke fondly of Ashlynne’s love of books.
“[This process] has been a celebration of a very beautiful little girl,” said Martha Rogers, director of education with the school board.
Rogers said thanks to various community donations, which “exceeded all expectations,” the library has been transformed into a “pondscape.”
Visitors to the new-look library are greeted by an extremely colourful mural on the front doors and, once inside, they can have a seat on a lily pad cushion or a caterpillar chair and enjoy an inviting, colourful, outdoor-themed setting while reading their favourite book.
Community member Susan Frasson, who Rogers called instrumental to the re-naming project, said the idea was to create a space that is “as joyful, whimsical and educational as the books within it.”
Countless individuals at the opening ceremony on Monday could be overheard offering praise for the work done to re-name and redesign the library. Yet the greatest compliment of all came from Davis-Rayner.
It’s “a place Ashlynne would have loved,” she said with a smile.
