Area high school students  dedicated a memorial tree on Friday with a ceremony on the grounds of the Hollidaysburg Area High School. The Eastern Redbud tree will honor the memory of students, faculty, and community members, who’ve passed away.

When it grows, it will have pink heart-shaped leaves. The planting of the tree is part of a project to create a space for students to come together in difficult times.

Carole Johnson is a member of the class of 1959 which is donating a bench for the area.

“We enjoyed our high school years and we thought this would be a good way to pay back and to give something to the school,” she explained.