By Allie Pecorin

Students, staff, and community members gathered on Ogden Avenue near NNHS Sunday to commemorate deceased student Michelle Fahle by dedicating the prairie that her father, Michael Fahle, built in her honor.

Michael Fahle, along with several groups of students and NNHS staff, has been working on the prairie since the December following Michelle’s death in 2009.  Michael’s passion for gardening and love for his daughter propelled him to create a place which NNHS students could use to learn about plants native to Illinois.

“[Michael] is a kind, generous, thoughtful, passionate, and very very persistent man,” said Principal Kevin Pobst of Mike’s extreme dedication to the project in a speech he gave at the commemoration.

Michelle Fahle passed away when she was 14 years old on October 8, 2009 during her freshman year.  Her death occurred as a result of an undetected heart condition, which flared when Michelle contracted the H1N1 flu.  She would have graduated this year with the class of 2013.

The commemoration was an opportunity for Michelle’s family and classmates to share their memories and thoughts.

“The prairie is a passion.  I enjoy it,” said Michael.  “Anyone can come in here.  Anyone that wants to plant stuff in here can do so. It just has to be native.”

Pobst dedicated signs to the Fahle family at the event. One of the signs dedicated the prairie as “A living memorial to Michelle Fahle, Class of 2013, her loving parents Michael and Lori, and all Huskies who contributed to its cultivation.” Another sign personally requested by Michael Fahle read: “NNHS Prairie: May all who enter here find peace.”

Several of Michelle’s classmates, including her close friend, senior Alexa Hansen, also shared their thoughts with the group.

“The life of this prairie is continuous and lasting, just as Michelle’s spirit will continue on with us,” Hansen said.

Seniors Emma Wichart, Erica Dawson, and Brittany Lane sang a musical tribute to the Fahle family. Student Government President Scott Boswell also spoke.

In his emotional speech, Boswell read several Facebook posts written to Michelle, and thanked Michael Fahle for his passion and love for his daughter.

The prairie, fully authentic with all Illinois native species, will be used to further student studies in classes such as AP Environmental Science. These classes worked with Michael Fahle to help cultivate the prairie, and will continue to take an active roll in its maintenance.

AP Environmental Science teacher Yvonne John said that she believes the prairie has been and will continue to be beneficial to students’ studies.

“When you’re out in the field and you can really see that and feel that and touch it then it takes on a whole new level of learning and commitment to the environment,” John said.