“His smile and kindness touched our hearts, and he will forever be remembered,” reminisces Academic Village Middle (AVM) peer counseling educator and teacher Anette Dallera. Heavy hearts filled teachers and students of Pines Charter when our very own security guard, Felix Rodrigez, passed away during the summer of 2023. In his remembrance, several middle school students painted rocks dedicated to him, carefully placed in our school’s Peace Garden. Additionally, Felix’s portrait hangs nearby, making his smile even more unforgettable.
The Peace Garden, located near the D building, has been around for a while as part of the “No Place for Hate” movement. Principal Bayer explains, “We’ve always had the Peace Garden, but after Felix passed away, we wanted to do something to memorialize him.”
Several middle school teachers, administrators, and students in Academic Village collaborated to honor Felix. “We worked in collaboration with Ms. Abolafia; it was her brilliant idea,” Dallera states. “My peer counseling students helped clean the garden and paint the rocks, as well as seventh and eighth-grade students. Mr. Gil and his students also helped paint the rocks.” Along with the rocks, the students get the opportunity to release butterflies and ladybugs into the garden.
Felix has done lots for others during his time as security guard in Pines Charter. “He was so beloved by everybody from the middle and the high school that we wanted to do something special,” expresses Mr. Bayer. Whether it was coaching the middle school, making sure students were safe, or simply putting a smile on someone’s face, Felix’s presence and memories continue to live on within students, teachers, and the school itself.
“Our students want to make sure that he is remembered as a humble and genuinely caring soul”, says AVM school counselor Jennilee Abolofia. Her idea to honor Felix along with the help of staff and students is meant to remind Pines Charter of just that. “When we think of Felix, it is always with a joyful heart. This area in our school exemplifies the positive impact that he made in our school,” she explains.
Touching many hearts throughout PPCHS and AVM, Felix has left behind his legacy. As he is missed immensely, he is also a reminder as to why it’s so important to spread happiness and kindness. If there’s one thing Felix has taught this school, it’s that a simple smile can go a long way.
