Brandi's Reading Nook



 While Brandi worked as a kindergarten teacher at East Bernard ISD, she often commented how the elementary library needed to be brightened up.   So.......in loving memory of her, we decided to do a "makeover".  Thanks to the help of Rhonda Kramr, EBISD District Librarian and the generosity of so many who gave to Brandi's Memorial Fund, we were able to create a bright and colorful place for the little ones to learn the joys of reading.  

We started the project with the purchase of two 8 ft. benches and a two seat love seat purchased from a company called Big Cozy Books.  Their furniture is made to look like oversized books.  Go to www.bigcozybooks.com to see more of what they offer.  With this furniture we were able to create "Brandi's Reading Nook".    












There were already five tables in the library that were in good shape so we put new formica on them to brighten them up.  





One of Brandi's favorite children's books was Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.  It is a story about not making fun of someone just because they are different.  Permission was granted from the publisher of that book to use the characters in a mural .  Chris Morse of East Bernard captured the book and Brandi's spirit with his incredible mural and helped complete the project.  













With the addition of four adorable oversized animal pillows the library makeover was complete.  





Brandi's little cousin Aaron really enjoyed the Frog Pillow

Every elementary student that passes through the doors of the East Bernard school will be touched by this library makeover.  This is yet another legacy my Brandi has left behind.      

Catie, Colin and Quinn Dusek are sitting on a wooden bench that was donated by the Fort Bend County Relay for Life board members to the East Bernard Elementary school in memory of Brandi.  This donation was also given in honor of Jamie.  She helped get this Amercian Cancer Society fundraiser started in Fort Bend County several years before Brandi ever got cancer.  This bench is located at the front of the East Bernard elementary school. 

Two of these benches were donated in loving memory of Brandi by the staff of the East Bernard Elementary School and the East Bernard PTO.  They are located on the elementary playground.  

Ty Jalowy asked for money for his birthday so that he could donate half of it for books to the East Bernard Elementary library in Brandi's memory.  He was one of many children Brandi taught swimming lessons to.  This generous gesture touched our hearts.  I know my Brandi would have also been touched by his thoughtfulness. 

Brandi always wanted to be a mother.  Unfortunately she was never able to achieve that goal.  We feel, however, each of the kindergarten students she taught will be part of her legacy.  We have established a Scholarship fund for those student.  Upon graduation, they will receive a small scholarship in her memory.  They only need to present proof of graduation from any high school to receive this scholarship.  Brandi set them on their path of education and it is our hope that they continue to remember the things that she taught them.    She wanted them to study hard in school, make good choices, be kind to others and go the Texas A & M (or the college of their choice).   



Brandi's 2004-2005 Kindergarten Class
Class of 2017



Brandi's 2005-2006 Kindergarten class
Class of 2018

The family of Brandi Ward is interested in rewarding a student who intends to pursue a four year college degree with the intent of becoming a teacher.  The applicant must be a graduating senior at East Bernard High School who exhibits school and community involvement, good work ethics and strong personal values.  A $500 scholarship will be awarded each year in Brandi's Memory.  This scholarship was made possible by the generous and kind donations made to Brandi's memorial fund at the time of her passing. 

Recipients are:

2006 -   Hunter Minks

2007 -  Molly Farrell

2008-  Ricky Simpson

2009 - Lyndsey Stelzel

The family of Brandi Ward is interested in rewarding a student who works hard and intends to enter the work force full time immediately after high school graduation.  The applicant must also be a graduating senior at East Bernard High School who exhibits good work ethics and strong personal values.  This $100 scholarship given out each year in Brandi's memory is intended to help the student prepare for the work force.   This scholarship was made possible by kind and generous donations made to Brandi's memorial fund at the time of her passing. 

  This memorial spread for the local high school yearbook was done by Rachel Gertson.  Brandi babysat Rachel when she was little.  The Gertsons were not only neighbors but to Brandi they were also one of her many adopted families.  She loved them as if they were her own family.  The East Bernard High School journalism teacher, Brenda Stelzel, was also a neighbor and a friend of our family.  Her daughter, Shae, grew up with Brandi.  This tribute was such a gift to Jamie and I and one we will always be grateful for.  It will help keep Brandi's memory forever alive.  She would have been so proud of the awesome job they did on it.  It was no doubt a labor of love.  It also captured the last two years of Brandi's life as a elementary teacher at EBISD.  

Brandi kept a journal where she wrote down quotes she liked and bible verses that were special to her.  Several of her friends went through the journal and picked out their favorites from the many she had written down.  At her celebration of life,  those quotes were attached to each of the 1000 balloons that were released after her service was over.  These quotes were in loving memory of Brandi and the life she lived.  I would like to share them with you.  I think they are part of the legacy she has left behind for us to live by.    


If God brings you to it, He will bring 
you through it.  

Life is like mail.....sometimes you 
just don't get it. 

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. 

Cast your cares to the Lord and He 
will sustain you. 
 
Life is what happens while you are busy 
making other plans.  

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks for your circumstances, for this is God's will for 
you in Christ Jesus.  

Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.  

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.  

Give up your problems to God.  He will be 
up all night anyway.  

Life may not be the party I had hoped for...but while I am here I might just as well listen 
to the music and dance.  

Never put a question mark where God 
has placed a period.  

Love those who are least lovable because 
they need it the most.