K-Kids remember Harlie Treanor

Community members and students and faculty from Bowling Green Elementary gathered in front of the school on Sept. 20 to honor the memory of Harlie Treanor, a recent graduate who lost her life, along with two other children, when a boat capsized on Fourth of July.

Bowling Green K-Kids President Kira Gruber and Faculty Advisor Rich Santer led the tree planting service. Harlie was an active K-Kids member dedicated to the club’s community service activities.

“This afternoon, we are not here to focus on the sadness of Harlie’s passing, but to take steps to ensure that the wonderful person she was is remembered and emulated by those who followed her through Bowling Green Elementary School,” Kira said.

Santer explained the involvement of the East Meadow Kiwanis who set up the Harlie Treanor Memorial Fund. He also told on-lookers about the Bowling Green K-Kids who met during the summer to plan tributes that are being put into place to honor Harlie and thanked the school district, Zaino’s Nursery and the many donors who contributed to the memorial fund.

Following heart-wrenching comments by Harlie’s father, her family, teachers, Kiwanians and classmates ceremonially added topsoil to the base of the pink weeping cherry tree planted east of the walkway heading to the school.

K-Kids Vice President Marisa Simone unveiled a black marble memorial plaque that read, “In memory of Harlie Paige Treanor 2001-20012,” and included the K-Kids logo.

Devon Rafanelli, distinguished immediate past president, donated a copy of the picture book, “Faithful Elephants,” by Yukio Tsuchiyo. She said that the book is about a true story of three elephants in a Japanese zoo during World War II, a book that had a powerful impact on Harlie when she read it in fifth grade during Santer’s class.

“No one can read this story without taking a giant step closer to feeling the compassion that Harlie felt for the world’s wildlife,” said Devon. “We hope that making this book available to all students of Bowling Green will spark some of Harlie’s compassion for wildlife in other students.”

The ceremony ended with Kira ringing the Kiwanis gong 11 times as the audience silently reflected on their memories of Harlie and the positive impact she made on everyone who her, and even those who did not.