LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Surrounded by love and community, dozens gathered at Jefferson Elementary in Little Rock on Wednesday in memory of one precious life after student Malin Reed Opitz lost her brave battle with a brain tumor in January 2023.
"Almost 16 months ago Malin lost her life. Patti and I would trade anything to have her back," said Jonathon Optiz, Malin's dad.
Now, Malin's community and classmates are creating an outdoor classroom space in her memory— which was a wish of Malin's before her passing.
"It's bitter that of her passing, but it's sweet what she left behind. She left behind this pavilion that's going to come and it's going to be a great place for a lot of kids to pay when the rains, but just have a great time outside," Malin's classmate, Preston James said.
The Malin Opitz Outdoor Classroom will provide permanent space for physical education, an area for shaded and covered recess, event space for the school, and unique outdoor educational opportunities.
The original ground-breaking was planned to happen on the campus in the area where the pavilion will be built, however, the ceremony was moved indoors due to weather.
Several students expressed their love and grief with tears and openly talked about the great times they shared with Malin.
"She was this caring kind person that mattered so much to me and this pavilion is a great way to show who she was," classmate, Annie Chandler said.
"She was just this funny, smart, and caring person who always thought of others that sometimes we weren't even sure that she ever thought about herself," classmate, Rachel Hall said.
Students had the opportunity to work with architects to pull off the unique design.
"This project means so much. It's so intimate, it's so special, it means a ton to the family, to the kids to the school here, the legacy of the school. For me, I don't believe I work on a project as emotional and as special as this," said Ernest Banks with Polk, Stanley, Wilcox Architects.
"I got to know Jonathan and Patty and just building that relationship throughout this process has been a really emotional and encouraging journey," added Amber Banks with Cromwell Architects Engineers.
It's a journey many are taking together. The original capital campaign goal exceeded $500,000, with over $350,000 in donations from contractors, engineers, and more.
Malin may have had a short-lived life here on earth, but her legacy will live on forever.
"Malin's motto was 'No throwaway days', something that I wish you would all take to heart. Time is precious. Tomorrow isn't promised for any of us. So please don't waste any time. Choose to do things that matter. Say kind words, help someone else, because that's the only way the world gets better," Jonathon Opitz said.
Donations are still being accepted to help furnish and provide programming for the outdoor classroom. Donations may be made online, through Venmo @JeffersonLRPTA, or by check made payable to Jefferson Elementary PTA.
