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Published: May 31, 2006
Local News: Schools
4 classmates honored for exhibiting Rory-like traits
By Jeff Kolkey
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
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EDDY MONTVILLE | ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
Hayden Wilsey (from left), Marecio Bailey-Mangruem,
John Lim and Jordan Hoffman bask in applause Tuesday night after winning the Rory Zuba Spirit Award
at West Middle School in Rockford. |
ROCKFORD — You might think West Middle School still mourns the loss of Rory Zuba.
But classmate Marecio Bailey-Mangruem said the school was touched by Rory`s life and refuses to wallow in grief.
"We are not mourning his loss," Marecio said. "It`s more like we are celebrating his legacy."
Marecio was one of four students given the Rory Zuba Spirit Award during a ceremony Tuesday night. The others included Hayden Wilsey, John Lim and Jordan Hoffman.
Each said they considered Rory a friend and that he was a middle school student who set an example others should follow.
The Spirit Award, in its second year, is helping students cope and remember their classmate.
"To me, this award is all about my friend Rory," Hayden said. "It`s about his spirit and how it will always live on in this community that he cared so much about."
Tom Zuba — who was raising Rory and his younger son Sean as a single father after the 1999 death of his wife Trici at age 43 — said the Spirit Award was created right after Rory died.
Students, parents and teachers gathered to figure out a suitable memorial.
"It was a way to keep my son Rory`s memory alive," Tom Zuba said. "It was a way to honor someone who embodied a lot of the same characteristics and qualities their friend Rory did."
Each year, an exemplary classmate is chosen to receive the award who matches many of his qualities — free-spirited, socially responsible, creative and compassionate. Next year is expected to be the final year the award is given out, ending with the final class of students who would have known Rory.
Perhaps because Rory was a member of this year`s eighth-grade class, no single student could be chosen. Teachers chose two of the winners, and fellow students chose two others.
Award winner John Lim said the awards have been a good way to honor and remember his fallen friend.
"Rory was the best person I have ever known," John said.
Published: May 30, 2006
Local News
Zuba award winners named
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
ROCKFORD — Rory Zuba would have been a graduating eighth-grader at West Middle School this year, but he died of brain cancer in February 2005. Four classmates were chosen Tuesday to receive the Rory Zuba Spirit Award, a trophy given to students who teachers and classmates say embody many of Rory`s qualities: a free spirit, compassionate, responsible, tolerant and an active listener.
Hayden Wilsey
Nomination comment: Hayden, like Rory, is a free spirit. He is not one to follow the crowd. He is compassionate and socially responsible. Hayden truly works at making a difference in the world and here at West.
Marecio Bailey-Mangruem
(Bailey-Mangruem) is socially responsible and has compassion for all students. He stated that he has to work very hard for all of his achievements. He is honest, hardworking, responsible and willing to be open to others.
John Lim
John is very creative and not afraid to express himself. John listens to you no matter who you are or what you`ve done. He is kind, a good listener, creative, responsible and tolerant. John in many ways is like Rory.
Jordan Hoffmann
Jordan exemplifies many of the qualities that Rory possessed. He is kind, considerate and cares about other people. When I`m with Jordan, I am reminded of Rory in so many ways. No one deserves this award as much as Jordan does.
