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Ben Hill memorial to honor educators

When a teacher and a counselor died last year, their lives left a lasting impression.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published April 3, 2005

CARROLLWOOD - You can't help but notice it when you walk through the seventh-grade patio at Ben Hill Middle School - a dry fountain, an empty flower bed, stones forming a perimeter around them.

These are the foundation for memories at the school, fond remembrances of two educators who unexpectedly passed away in 2004. Domenic Giunta died while saving youngsters from drowning at Honeymoon Island; Ann Peeler had a heart attack while teaching 32 eighth-graders about reading.

"They were both such warm personalities," principal Nancy Anderson said - so deserving of a lasting memorial at the school they loved.

In addition to the garden, students decided to dedicate the yearbook to Peeler and Giunta. They also have asked the School Board to rename the guidance offices after Giunta and the media center for Peeler.

The school has never taken such steps for any other employee.

But the impact of their deaths, after making such a mark at Ben Hill, compelled many to act.

Students and faculty still talk about Peeler's sudden collapse in October as if it happened yesterday. Her name still appears on stationery, old memos that remain in circulation, books now used in someone else's room.

At least one student refused to re-enter her classroom, even after it was reorganized and a new teacher with a different teaching style took over.

"It's still hard," said Susie Polen, the principal's secretary and Peeler's longtime friend. "A lot of times something will happen and we'll say, "Go ask Ann,' like she's still here."

Eighth-grader Marchae Lee says students try not to bring up the subject, because no one wants to start crying again. But she gives Peeler the highest praise by saying her teacher changed her life forever.

"When I went into her class, I hated reading," Marchae said. "Now I like to read more. She helped me understand the stories. Before, I wouldn't understand anything at all."

Giunta had been retired for two years when he lost his life in July 2004. Most students who knew the counselor have moved to high school. But staff members still recall him fondly.

And they say his quiet demeanor would have eschewed all the attention he has received for his act of bravery. But the garden and other honors are most appropriate.

Each year, Giunta - a master gardener - would help students with a planting project. And he would patrol the seventh-grade patio each day as students passed through. He was the type of educator, Anderson says, who worked hard for kids, never complained and never sought the spotlight, even when asked to step forward.

In many ways, though both are gone, the two teachers still have a presence at Ben Hill Middle, Giunta in his calming way and Peeler in her gregariousness.

"She was most definitely the life of the party," says teacher Andrea Tillotson.

That's why the school has taken such pains to make sure no one forgets. Rather than just have teachers and students put together a memorial on their own, the school decided to collect donations and have the work done professionally.

A Giunta family friend has donated the plants, and the school has received several private donations. The National Junior Honor Society had a surplus in its account and gave it all to the fund.

"This is something that is always going to be here," said teacher Laura Wilton, who helped spearhead the project. "This is always going to be a focal point. We wanted it done right."

The school plans a formal unveiling ceremony before the end of the academic year. A date has not been scheduled.

-Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at 813 269-5304 or solochek@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 2, 2005, 10:10:05]