Honor Mr. Joo: Memorial Bench for Encinita

Dear Encinita Community,

Our names are Bertha Castro and Carrie Okamuro. For those of you who haven't yet met us, Bertha is our school office manager, and I am a teacher at Encinita School. Both of us have loved serving our school community alongside our amazing principal, Mr. Sam Joo, since his first day in the Rosemead School District. Bertha and I miss him tremendously and understand that many in our community do too. As members of the Sam Joo Memorial Committee, we are now spearheading the task of creating a memorial for him at Encinita for those who wish to have a place to visit, remember, and feel close to Mr. Joo.

Our committee hopes to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Joo with a memorial bench installed in the front of our school. This would be a lasting tribute to him - a principal who was not only dedicated, loving, and kind, but also full of humor, school spirit, and fun.

Mr. Joo made school such a happy place to be whether you're a student, staff member, or community member. If you have a funny, touching, or favorite memory to share, we invite you to share it! Your stories will help this memorial reflect the same joy, warmth, and laughter Mr. Joo brought to our school every day.

With gratitude for your memories, love, and support,

Bertha and Carrie

Sam Joo Memorial Committee