Throughout Aria’s life, I never posted where she went to school on my social media. Because of my career and things that were happening with my family; I thought it was best to keep Aria’s location as anonymous as possible. For her protection and safety.

Aria started kindergarten in 2010 at Lake Harriet Lower Campus.

We were renting in South Mpls at the time she started kindergarten. It was our “neighborhood school.” We moved to Bloomington, N.E. Mpls, and St. Paul, but she always went to Lake Harriet. I would drive her everyday or my mom, Aaron, or Gary. We were all committed to keeping her in the same school district. I moved around to alot of different schools while I was growing up, but, I didn’t want to do that to her. She had so many friends and we loved the community.

Lake Harriet consists of 2 “campuses.” Lower is K-3, Upper 4-8.

Lower Campus

• Kindergarten– Mr. Carlson-(She loved him. I would find love letters all over the house.)
• 1st Grade– Ms. Chhun-(She wasn’t a fan. She once called the school and left a message on Lake Harriet’s voicemail that Mrs. Chhun was mean. She got in trouble, but, it was one of those troubles where it took everything inside of me not to laugh.)
• 2nd Grade– Mr. Deven’s-(She loved him. He let his students call him by his first name. She thought that was awesome!)
• 3rd Grade– Mr Hallen-( I don’t remember much about him other than Aria’s crush Kai was in that class. Which obviously was a huge deal.)

Upper Campus

• 4th Grade– Ms. Jorde-(Aria adored her immediately. In the picture I will share below is her and Ms. Jorde on the first day of school. They shared a special bond from day one)
• 5th Grade– Mr. Marchetti-( This was a big one. Aria had been hearing about Mr. Marchetti for years. She had never wanted a teacher so badly in her life. I remember when her school schedule came she literally screamed when she saw he was her teacher. Apparently, it was because he threw popcorn parties every other Friday.)
• 6th Grade– Ms. Eiden-(Aria was now in middle school, 6th, 7th and 8th grade teachers were her “homeroom” teachers)
• 7th Grade- Ms. Cuff-(Aria and her had a special bond because Ms. Cuff was the music and rock band teacher)
• 8th Grade– Mr. Wood-(Aria would always talk about how kind and funny he was.)

Hands down, Aria’s favorite employee at Lake Harriet was Ms. Paula. She is the secretary at the Upper Campus and the only African American woman who works at that school. They were very close. So much so that when Lake Harriet would call, it pop’s up on our phones as “Paula.” The day Aria passed I called the school to inform them what was going on. I wanted the staff to be prepared before the kids found out. Paula answered and I told her. She couldn’t take the rest of the phone call. She passed it to the social worker and I could hear her break down in the background. We love you Paula. Ohhhh and we LOVED Ms. Ismail, the math teacher. Aria hated math, but loved Ms. Ismail.

Tomorrow, not only is it the 4 month anniversary of Aria’s passing, it would be her 8th grade graduation, 6/6/2019. I love these kids. I’ve watched them grow and gotten to know them. I wish them nothing but love, joy, and happiness as they head into this new adventure called high school. Thank you to all the students, staff, and community who loved and supported Aria and myself over the last 8 years. I wish more than anything Aria was here to celebrate as well.

CONGRATULATIONS LAKE HARRIET 8TH GRADE CLASS 2019