Posted by Communications Staff on 5/16/2022
They came for a fun run—dubbed the Indian Trail Horse Course—but the real reason hundreds of Indian Trail Elementary students, parents and staff put on their running shoes last Friday was to honor Jennifer Johnston, a teacher who passed away unexpectedly last year due to complications following a minor surgery.
It was a festival atmosphere, with music, shaved ice, face painting, a bubble machine, a fog machine and raffle prizes galore. Participants young and old wore race bibs, and trophies were handed out to the winners in each age group. The Spokane Indians’ mascots were there to encourage the runners.
And then there was the flower arrangement sitting under the sun near the face painting and the raffle prizes. The arrangement honored Johnston and an accompanying message shared her passion for reading.
Her love of reading is reflected in a Little Free Library constructed in her honor by Indian Trail parents Devin and Stephanie Berend. The race day raffle and donations from local businesses funded the library and will help provide for continued maintenance.
Andy Johnston, Jennifer’s husband, was there alongside their three daughters and other extended family members. Andy shared his thanks and astonishment at the outpouring of support.
“This gesture is not only a testimony to who Jen was and what she meant to your lives, but also a testament to how much each and every one of you meant to her,” he told the crowd. “This school, this staff, the kiddos and PTO were like a family to Jen. Please make no mistake that she absolutely loved each and every one of you.”
The Little Free Library is full of children’s books and shares this quote from Dr. Seuss, one of Jennifer Johnston’s favorite authors:
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
“I’ve made it a point to focus on the good memories that I was fortunate enough to have and make with her, trying not to focus on the fact that she is no longer physically here with us, but instead that she’ll continue to live on through our memories and constantly in our hearts,” Andy said.
Jennifer Johnston’s legacy will surely live on thanks to the Little Free Library at Indian Trail.
