Villanova marks day of tragedy
by Lenny Roberts

The events of Sept. 11, 2001 were remembered locally Tuesday when Father Gary Sanders, Villanova Preparatory School assistant headmaster, blessed a 500-pound boulder and a coast live oak tree on the grounds of the Ojai campus.
Above Villanova's motto, "Love, Truth, Community," in bold lettering, the inscription reads, "Placed in memory of the innocents killed September 11, 2001 and as a living symbol of hope for the future."
The boulder and the tree were imported to the campus by VPS teacher Chris Westphal, who oversaw the project that was perceived by Villanova students immediately following the attacks.
"The rock itself is engraved, kind of chiseled," explained Father Gary Sanders, who led a prayer at the ceremony. "These are two symbols; one that has no life representing those who died, and the tree, which represents those who are alive and going on to be peacemakers.
"The students wanted to have a memorial, and they did this through the Villanova chapter of the California Scholastic Federation. They got together and raised money by pizza sales and things like that."
Villanova headmaster Anthony Sabatino said "The memorial is dedicated to the Sept. 11 victims, and also to the ideal that positive values will ultimately triumph."
The memorial, situated on large grassy plot adjacent to one of the school's athletic fields, will eventually serve as the anchor of a grove of oak trees planted as part of a landscape renovations project.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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