Hughes Memorial Garden Site Plan
Sean Hughes Memorial Fund
About the Project
Concept Art - Aerial View of the Memorial Garden
On November 13, 2021, beloved Lower Merion High School Principal Sean Hughes was killed in a car crash. In the year since his passing, his family, friends and members of his beloved high school community – including students, staff and alumni -- have been meeting to decide on a fitting way to remember Dr. Hughes.
The Sean Hughes Tribute Committee is pleased to announce that local sculptor and Harriton High School alumnus Miguel Antonio Horn has agreed to design an artistic multi-part tribute on the Lower Merion High School campus. The proposed design, which would require approval from the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, includes a unique gateway to campus reflecting both the physical image of Dr. Hughes and the tenets of his oft-stated motto that “Character Counts.” As ninth-grade students “Enter to Learn” and 12th-grade students “Go Forth to Serve,” they will pass through this gateway, creating the kind of school tradition that Dr. Hughes so loved.
Later proposed aspects of the on-campus memorial will include turning a grass slope between the high school and administration buildings into both a memorial garden for quiet reflection and an outdoor amphitheater for use by classes and other student groups. Dr. Hughes, who instituted “Lunch and Learn,” was always looking for creative ways for students to use spaces on campus in ways that supported their intellectual curiosity, mental health and sense of comfort and belonging at school.
In addition to the artistic memorial, the Sean Hughes Memorial Fund has already fully funded the 25-year “Sean Hughes Character Counts Scholarship” though the Lower Merion Township Scholarship Fund. As with all scholarships awarded by LMTSF, this will be a needs-based scholarship, with consideration given to a child who has lost a parent.
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Hughes Memorial Concept Art
Sean A. Hughes Memorial Fund Steering Committee
Kristi Hughes - President | Robert Copeland | Michelle Kelly |
Claudia Baker - Vice President | Karen De Franco | Scott Kilpatrick |
Beth Weisser - Vice President | Scott Eveslage | Jill Knight |
Amy Buckman - Secretary | Jon Fadely | Kirsten Lawson |
Anthony Rezza - Treasurer | Lisa Fair | Brady McHale |
Curt Burkholder | Sandy Flocco | Jason Stroup |
Sean Capkin | John Grace | Benjamin Walsh |
Joseph Donaher | Nahjee Grant | Justin Weisser |
Donate
Donations to the Sean Hughes Tribute Committee are being collected through the Education Foundation of Lower Merion and may be made HERE via PayPal (click the “Donate” button) or by sending a check to:
Sean Hughes Memorial Fund
c/o Education Foundation of Lower Merion
P.O. Box 79
Narberth, PA 19072
Donation and Sponsorship Opportunities
- GREEN (CLIMATE PURSUIT) LEVEL - ($100 - 1,000K) including:
- Landscape Plantings (qty 100) - $150
- Lighting Elements (qty 20) - $500
- Shade Elements (qty 10) - $1000
- ACES NATION - ($1,001-$4,999)
- A donation of $2500 to $4999 includes donor name and accolade to/about Sean Hughes (not mandatory) on outdoor gym stair mural designed by students
- SILVER LEVEL - (5K - 10K)
- Gateway Atrium Panel (qty 16) - $5,000
- Several of these Panels will include an image of Dr. Sean Hughes
- Benches (qty 3) - $10,000
- Gateway Atrium Panel (qty 16) - $5,000
- GOLD LEVEL - 15K - 30K
- Gymnasium Stair Mural - $10,000
- Headline sponsor, including names of Aces Nation donors
- Bus Loop Mural - $20,000
- Headline sponsor
- Gymnasium Stair Mural - $10,000
- PLATINUM LEVEL – OVER 30K
- Gateway Columns - qty 4 - 30K each
*"Character Counts" sponsor level- The Character Counts Sponsorship will include one of four columns. Each column will represent the four pillars of character as demonstrated and lead by Dr. Sean Hughes.
- Gateway Arch - Two sides - 30K each side
- “Enter to Learn" side
- "Go Forth To Serve” side
- Gateway Columns - qty 4 - 30K each
Event Sponsors are also available in 2023-24:Golf Outing (Monday, May 13, 2024) sponsors include:
-
- Cocktail Hour sponsor
- Dinner sponsor
- Putting competition sponsor
- Driving competition sponsor
- Hole sponsors
- Silent auction sponsors
- Silent auction donors
*Please contact Committee Secretary Amy Buckman, (BuckmaA@lmsd.org) for more information on all sponsorship opportunities, including donor recognition inclusion.
Events
2nd Annual Sean A. Hughes Memorial Golf Classic
- Monday, May 19, 2025 @ Green Valley Country Club, Lafayette Hill, PA
- Registration and Details
Sponsorships are available for our 2025 Golf Classic. Please reach out to KristiHughes@comcast.net for sponsorship opportunities.
Sponsorships and donations to the Sean Hughes Memorial Fund are being collected through the Education Foundation of Lower Merion (EFLM) and may be made HERE via PayPal (click the “Donate” button) or by sending a check to:
Sean Hughes Memorial Fund
c/o Education Foundation of Lower Merion
P.O. Box 79
Family and friends gathered at Green Valley Country Club on Monday, May 13, 2024, for the inaugural Sean A. Hughes Memorial Golf Outing! All proceeds from the event will benefit the creation of the Sean A. Hughes Memorial Plaza and Garden at Lower Merion High School.
Emily Zhang was named the winner of the 2024 Sean Hughes "Character Counts" Award, which was presented by the 2022 recipient, Leo Solga.
The Aces sold hundreds of pies in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, ultimately raising a whopping $3,108.40 for the Sean Hughes Memorial Fund!
The Sean A. Hughes Memorial Fund hosted a 5K Race and Fun Run at Lower Merion High School
It was a very special evening celebrating the life of Sean Hughes as fundraising officially began for an amazing memorial to him on the campus of his beloved Lower Merion High School!
About Sean Hughes
Sean A. Hughes, principal of Lower Merion High School for more than 14 years, was killed in a collision on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, while driving his son to a soccer game. He was survived by his wife, Kristi, sons Nolan and Jack, and daughter Kate.
Dr. Hughes was a dedicated educator and a life-long learner. He attended Cardinal O'Hara High School, LaSalle University and Widener University, from which he received a posthumous Doctorate in Education.
He was beloved by thousands of students who passed through the halls of Lower Merion over the years. He knew most of them by name and always had time to listen to their concerns, cheer them on and support their accomplishments. They greeted him in the halls by calling out his signature nickname, “Huuuuuuughes.” He welcomed each one at 9th grade orientation and proudly handed out diplomas at their graduations. In the years between, he MC’ed their Amazing Ace competitions in his gold sequined jacket, inducted students into the National Honor Society and recognized Merit Scholars. He encouraged student voice at every turn, the door to his office was always open.
Dr. Hughes shared the motto and belief that “character counts,” a message his students surely will carry throughout their lives. It is not an overstatement to say his impact on his students is immeasurable.
Dr. Hughes also served as President of the Central Athletic League and coached youth sports.
Video
Slideshow
Updates
Sean Hughes Memorial Fund Progress -
We're Halfway There!
As we approach the third anniversary of Sean’s tragic death (Nov. 13), the Sean Hughes Memorial Fund is proud to announce our fundraising progress.
In the days immediately after we lost Sean, the stunned community came together to honor Sean with tributes and monetary donations. A few months later, The Sean Hughes Memorial Committee, led by Sean’s widow, Kristi Hughes, was formed. Initial fundraising by this committee was used to create a 25-year “Sean Hughes Character Counts Scholarship” through the Lower Merion Township Scholarship Fund. This is a needs-based scholarship, with consideration given to a child who has lost a parent. It has since been awarded in 2023 and 2024.
In the years since that horrific day in 2021, we have also hosted multiple events, including a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, 5K run and a Golf Classic. These public events, combined with several school-based events, such as Amazing Ace and the LM Lip Dub, have raised nearly $100,000 more.
At $100,000, we are about halfway to our fundraising goal of $200,000 -- which will allow us to build the Sean Hughes Memorial Garden on the campus of Sean’s beloved high school. The on-campus memorial will include turning a grass slope between the high school and administration buildings into a memorial garden for quiet reflection and an outdoor amphitheater for classes and other student groups.
We are so grateful for the support we have received over the last three years. But we need your help to keep the momentum going and to reach our goal!
Principal Hughes believed learning should be fun and engaging and differences should be celebrated. This garden will provide an environment that will allow students to relax and unwind and also spark their curiosity and creativity in a safe, inclusive space. Whether it's through hands-on outdoor projects, interactive classes, award ceremonies, lunch and learns or quiet moments of mindfulness to dream about the future, we hope the LM students look forward to visiting the Sean Hughes Memorial Garden and Amphitheater every school day.
Please be on the lookout on our website or Instagram page for more information about our 2024 5K race (Nov 2024), our Garden Groundbreaking (Nov 2024), and our 2025 Golf Classic (May 2025), and additional ways to support our efforts.