JERSEY SHORE, Pa. — On September 8, 2023, 17-year-old Max Engle collapsed on the football field. A week later, the Jersey Shore Area High School senior died from his injuries.
"It's pretty hard to get what he was as a person. You don't really find that in many people, and he was that and exceeded it by far," Liam McClain said.
It's been a tough couple of months for Max's classmates and teammates, many of whom were lifelong friends. Recently, the senior class at Jersey Shore Area High School decided to do something in Max's memory. For their senior class project, they created a remembrance garden.
"We wanted something to remember him, and it kind of became something to remember everyone because we kept growing and getting donations. It just became so big and so important to our community," Jocelyn McCracken said.
The remembrance garden sits on the high school grounds across from the tennis courts. Earlier this week, students planted trees with help from Penn College. There are also plans to install a walkway.
"We're hoping to put in some benches so people can come here and have a moment of peace and maybe some flower pots," Michele Persun said.
"I think he'd probably like it. The trees aren't grown up yet, and it's not all finished yet, but just from where it's going, I think he'd be pretty happy about it," Payton Samar said.
Max's friends say this is the perfect way to honor him.
"Max always loved being in the outdoors, whether it was trout fishing, hunting, or even just camping. He loved being in the outdoors and all the trees. And I think with all these beautiful trees out here and with the mulch and the grass, this is his place to be," John Dammar said.
The garden is not only to remember Max. The seniors say it's here to remember any student they've lost.