WEST JORDAN Utah (ABC 4 News) – A special tribute was unveiled at Sierra Newbold’s elementary school.
The seven year old girl was murdered this summer by a man who kidnapped her from her home.
Sierra Newbold's body was found dumped in a nearby canal.
She attended West Jordan elementary school and ever since a candle light vigil was held at the school following her death a plan was hatched to honor her.
Friday, hundreds of her classmates gathered outside the school for the unveiling of a concrete bench bearing her name and a passage from a Dr. Seuss book.
“I could see her on the bench,’ says her mother Kathy Newbold who was there for the unveiling. “There was a big smile. She was very happy.”
Next to the bench was a freshly planted tree in her honor.
“She would love it, she would love it,” says her father Brad Newbold.
After the unveiling, many of her classmates moved towards the bench all trying to touch her name.
Sierra’s parents watched the children.
“This will be good for them and good for us,” says Sierra father.
The school has had its share of dark moments. Principal Norman Emerson says the school also had to endure the death of seven year old Daniel Allen.
Allen would have been in first grade but he died of brain cancer.
A special plaque bearing his name was placed next to Sierra’s bench.
His mother was pleased the school saw fit to honor him.
“Daniel’s message was ‘love each other’ and he would hope that you carry that message each day for the rest of your lives,” says Lani Allen his mother who spoke to the gathering of students.
It was the first time that Newbold’s spoke publicly about their daughter. As they stood admiring Sierra’s bench, her mother couldn’t help but feel Sierra’s presence.
“I know she was here and she was beaming because it was for her.”
