“Olivia was a very special student to me. She was a third grader in my class during the year of hybrid education. We were both in school and virtually at home on computers. Liv loved to learn and approached every subject with enthusiasm. I remember that she enjoyed competition in math facts, and she was proud when she could complete a blank multiplication chart quickly and correctly in under 5 minutes! Science experiments and hands on inquiry based projects were a favorite of hers. I looked forward to seeing her big smile online when she showed her inventions. I really enjoyed her writing because it exemplified her unique style and engaged the reader from the first sentence! She loved reading and the books we read in class. Her reading scores showed significant improvement from the beginning of the year to the end. On a biography/social studies project, she researched Sally Ride and created an outstanding project that was informative and very enjoyable to read. I'll always remember her beautiful smile and her sweet and generous nature. She hugged me every day and presented me with thoughtful cards, drawings, and gifts. I still have them today, and think of her often when I use my Peeps drinking cup or my stool that she painted. Truly and sincerely, Liv motivated me to be a better teacher. She inspired me to plan lessons and projects with more artistic flair because I knew she and her classmates would really enjoy them. Of course teachers aren't supposed to have favorites, but I sometimes whispered to her that she was special and a favorite of mine. Her loss has hit me hard because she was such an angel on earth. Love you Liv!”
— Anissa Amancio Olivia’s 3rd Grade Teacher Hill Roberts Elementary School
“Olivia Knighton as a first grader at SJE: I remember Olivia with a big smile on her face. She came to school with that smile, wore it all day, and left with it. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for learning made teaching her a blessing. Olivia always tried her best. She put effort into everything she did and was proud of the final product. She was very artistic and loved any project that allowed her to use her own creativity. She was a total rule follower and I really don’t think it ever occuried to her to not follow the rules. She was one of the most genuinely kind students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. She treated everyone the same and was a great friend to everyone she met. Kids loved to work or play with Olivia because she was always so positive and kind.”
— I will keep her smile in my heart forever, Mrs. Paula Bedard 1st Grade Teacher St. John the Evangelist School
“To share thoughts and memories of Olivia is like asking someone to complete the hardest writing task about the easiest person to describe. Olivia’s smile entered a room long before she did...It often seemed that her mission in life was to bring cheer, comfort and delight to those around her. She had a zest for life, a love of learning and a sense of faith like no other. Peers knew they could count on her for assistance and never feared judgment of any sort - whether it was reading a word, completing a math problem or simply tying a shoe. Loyalty and sincerity were strongly woven into the fabric of Olivia. As if her accomplishments in the classroom were not enough, Olivia shined on the soccer field as well. Her dedication to the sport was evident in every practice and every game. With all of her accomplishments and achievements in the classroom and on the field however, she had one passion that surpassed them all - and that was her love of family. Her family stood on the sidelines of her life and cheered her on through every moment. Because she knew such love, it was so easy for her to stand on the sidelines of others’ lives and cheer them on as well. Sure, Olivia left a wonderful legacy in the classroom and on the field, however, Olivia’s real legacy was the impact she left on the sidelines of other people’s lives.”
— Megan Young Olivia’s 4th Grade Teacher Hill Roberts Elementary School
“Fifth grade 2022-2023; new school, two new teachers, new classmates from different elementary schools learning to work alongside each other as a new team, which eventually became a school family. Olivia was a special part of this fifth-grade family. Her contagious smile that was delivered effortlessly every morning as she entered the cluster area for another day and every afternoon when she was leaving, demonstrated without a doubt her love of learning and friendship. Olivia was a born leader, who was willing to work with any student or group of students. Olivia held high expectations for herself and those students that she worked with. She gave her classmates the opportunity to use their voice and share their ideas so the group could experience other ways of thinking. Olivia never took the backseat in her education. She was always willing to attempt and solve a difficult mathematical problem, write the most creative story, complete a scientific experiment set before her or dress up as a famous person of the Revolutionary War. She did all this through asking clarifying questions, hard work, and perseverance. Her classmates saw her as a driven, reliable, and a conscientious student. Olivia was a reflective learner and never backed down from a challenge without giving it her all.
Friends were also a very important part of Olivia’s school day. She had a way of making classmates feel safe and comfortable being themselves. Olivia could be observed daily laughing, singing, and genuinely caring for those not only on our team but within the entire school community. Olivia’s talents spread beyond the walls of our team. During her fifth-grade year Olivia’s artwork was hung up in the halls of the school as well as displayed at a Coelho Art Gala Night off our school campus. Her poetry was chosen twice to be published within two different Anthology of Poetry books through Creative Communications. In addition to these creative accomplishments, Olivia’s thoughtfulness shined through her beautiful homemade cards, jewelry and paintings that were given to many as gifts and will always be treasured. Olivia will forever hold a very special place in the hearts of our Coelho family.”
— Lisa Irving and Brenda Ciccio Coelho Middle School 5th Grade Teachers