At Potter Cemetery, Thompson Scholars began with a simple conviction: every life deserves to be remembered, and every resting place deserves to be treated with dignity.

Dense brush and vegetation had overtaken the historic cemetery, making the grounds difficult to access and obscuring many of the stories held there. Our scholars accepted the responsibility of helping reclaim the site and preserve an important part of their community’s history.

They began by clearing the overgrowth. With every branch removed and every section uncovered, the cemetery gradually became visible and accessible again.

The scholars then conducted careful research into the people buried at Potter Cemetery. Using the information they gathered, they created 21 headstones by hand. Each marker was poured, finished, and fitted with a customized nameplate.

The project also included a meaningful arts component. Scholars designed and assembled floral arrangements to accompany the new headstones. These handmade tributes brought color and beauty to the restored grounds while giving the scholars another way to express care for the individuals being honored.

Through the process, local history became tangible for the scholars. They encountered it in names, family connections, burial grounds, and stories preserved across generations. They also learned that community service often takes the form of steady, detailed work: researching a name, clearing brush, mixing and pouring concrete, assembling flowers, and setting a marker.

On May 13, 2026, families and community members gathered at the restored cemetery for a dedication ceremony. Descendants saw their ancestors recognized with individual markers and the cemetery grounds restored with care. The gathering was deeply moving for the families in attendance and for the scholars who had invested so much time in the project. The ceremony allowed the scholars to witness the human impact of their work.

The Potter Cemetery project reflects the kind of leadership Thompson Scholars seeks to nurture: leadership grounded in empathy, initiative, perseverance, and service. Our scholars recognized a need and responded. They combined historical research, teamwork, creativity, and physical effort to preserve a sacred community space. Their work returned dignity to the cemetery and created a place where families could gather in remembrance.

During the dedication ceremony, Thompson Scholars committed to the ongoing stewardship of Potter Cemetery. The organization and its scholars will continue caring for the grounds so that the progress made through this project can be sustained.

Together, these tributes demonstrate what young people can accomplish when they approach service with purpose, creativity, and reverence for the past.