Lehigh Acres school creates garden to remember 3 students lost too soon

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Lehigh Senior High School honored three students who died by dedicating a new rock garden in their memory.

Shylah Desamours, Landen Feliz and Michael Ramos are the inspiration behind the school's "Interactive Kindness Garden," unveiled Monday afternoon.

Desamours died in a jet ski accident, while Feliz and Ramos took their own lives.

The principal of Lehigh Senior High School spoke about the message behind the garden.

"You can be anything in the world, but the biggest thing that you should choose to be is kind. It doesn't take much to offer a smile, to offer a kind word, to offer a little bit of compassion," principal Darya Grote said.

Ami Desamours, Shylah's mom, shared what her daughter meant to those around her.

"She was always there for the people that she loved and the people that loved her. She was a great friend and a great daughter, the best daughter, and she loved her family and she loved her school," Desamours said.

She also reflected on what the garden means to her family.

"It's such a wonderful way, in a humbling way, to pay remembrance to her and the other students who we lost last year way too soon, and she would love that," Desamours said.

The garden was organized by students from the school and their teacher Judith Cintron. 

Landen's mom and sister, Kristen Gonzalez and Liana Feliz, shared a bittersweet reflection on seeing him included in the garden.

"He was part of the decision making for the other two students that passed away. It's just bittersweet and sad that he's now in the garden. He would have really liked it," Gonzalez and Liana Feliz said.

Landen's sister also shared a simple but meaningful memory of him.

"I would play games in his room, and those were like the best moments. We would just hang out and talk," Liana Feliz said.

Jayden Lake, a friend and teammate of Landen's, said the garden pushes those who knew him to keep his spirit alive.

"We do everything for Landen. Whenever we play a game, we score, we practice. It's for Landen. Landen is a big impact for us. Hopefully, it can be big. He can be a big impact for those who remember him and for those who haven't met him yet," Lake said.

The garden now stands as a daily reminder for students, teachers and families to lead with kindness and carry the memory of the three students forward.