News
New award honors slain girl
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| Sopori principal Desi Raulston holds the “Brisenia Flores Annual Physical Education Award for Perseverance” that will be awarded annually. Photo by Jeannie Applegate | Special for The Sahuarita Sun |
By Jeannie Applegate, Special to The Sahuarita Sun
Her name was Brisenia Flores. A girl 9 years old whose last name in Spanish means “flowers.”
In May, her life was cut short by the bullet of an intruder in her family’s home in Arivaca. At that moment, Brisenia lost forever the opportunity to develop into the magnificent bloom she should have become.
But the faculty, staff and students who knew her best at Sopori Elementary School in Amado were determined that Brisenia be remembered for the way she lived her life, not for how it came to an end.
On Oct. 23, Sopori principal Desi Raulston accepted the first “Brisenia Flores Annual Physical Education Award for Perseverance” on behalf of Brisenia and her family.
According to Bill Ferill, a physical education teacher at Sopori who initiated the award, “I believe Brisenia exemplified the meaning of perseverance as she fought long and hard to earn the Presidential National Fitness Award.”
“Brisenia had an incredible work ethic. In my two years of teaching her, I could see that she had all the characteristics of a champion who always gives more than 100 percent, but she never had a chance to realize her potential. It absolutely broke my heart when she was killed. Who knows what she could have done in life?”
Still, Ferill chuckled as he remembered a lighter moment with Brisenia. The young girl, who found sit-ups difficult, struggled to complete the full number required to earn the Presidential National Fitness Award. Preparing to try yet one more time, Brisenia told him, “I’m ready, Coach. This time I can do it.”
Jana Turner, another of Brisenia’s teachers, offered another perspective.
“Brisenia was well-liked by her classmates and the faculty and staff at Sopori. She was artistic. Drawing colorful, detailed pictures was one thing she enjoyed doing, and she was very good at it. I always looked forward to receiving her drawings, and to this day, I still have some. Her smile and bubbly personality will not be forgotten.”
Raulston recalled Brisenia fondly.
“She was a lovely child, quiet and easy-going. Her death hit our school and community very hard. Her beautiful photo on the plaque is a reminder that the gift of learning can be taught through a precious child who was part of our lives.”
It was the recognition of all these qualities in Brisenia that brought about the award, intended by Ferill to honor a child who demonstrated a strength of character and degree of determination not often seen in one so young.
Brisenia’s name was the first to be engraved on the plaque, which has 23 more slots. One student will be awarded the plaque in spring of each year. And, Ferill promised, “I will be there for each and every one.”
Jeannie Applegate is a freelance writer in Sahuarita. Contact her at wordwizard@cox.net.
In May, her life was cut short by the bullet of an intruder in her family’s home in Arivaca. At that moment, Brisenia lost forever the opportunity to develop into the magnificent bloom she should have become.
But the faculty, staff and students who knew her best at Sopori Elementary School in Amado were determined that Brisenia be remembered for the way she lived her life, not for how it came to an end.
On Oct. 23, Sopori principal Desi Raulston accepted the first “Brisenia Flores Annual Physical Education Award for Perseverance” on behalf of Brisenia and her family.
According to Bill Ferill, a physical education teacher at Sopori who initiated the award, “I believe Brisenia exemplified the meaning of perseverance as she fought long and hard to earn the Presidential National Fitness Award.”
“Brisenia had an incredible work ethic. In my two years of teaching her, I could see that she had all the characteristics of a champion who always gives more than 100 percent, but she never had a chance to realize her potential. It absolutely broke my heart when she was killed. Who knows what she could have done in life?”
Still, Ferill chuckled as he remembered a lighter moment with Brisenia. The young girl, who found sit-ups difficult, struggled to complete the full number required to earn the Presidential National Fitness Award. Preparing to try yet one more time, Brisenia told him, “I’m ready, Coach. This time I can do it.”
Jana Turner, another of Brisenia’s teachers, offered another perspective.
“Brisenia was well-liked by her classmates and the faculty and staff at Sopori. She was artistic. Drawing colorful, detailed pictures was one thing she enjoyed doing, and she was very good at it. I always looked forward to receiving her drawings, and to this day, I still have some. Her smile and bubbly personality will not be forgotten.”
Raulston recalled Brisenia fondly.
“She was a lovely child, quiet and easy-going. Her death hit our school and community very hard. Her beautiful photo on the plaque is a reminder that the gift of learning can be taught through a precious child who was part of our lives.”
It was the recognition of all these qualities in Brisenia that brought about the award, intended by Ferill to honor a child who demonstrated a strength of character and degree of determination not often seen in one so young.
Brisenia’s name was the first to be engraved on the plaque, which has 23 more slots. One student will be awarded the plaque in spring of each year. And, Ferill promised, “I will be there for each and every one.”
Jeannie Applegate is a freelance writer in Sahuarita. Contact her at wordwizard@cox.net.
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