Construction sites are usually full of busy people, heavy machinery and hardhats. So when about 20 5th graders set foot on site, the energy shifted a bit. Small hands held homemade signs in support of Garrett and the Grommesh family and they were escorted straight to the VIP tent.
They each shared how they knew Garrett, the biggest celebrity at Ellen Hopkins Elementary in south Moorhead.
“I’ve known him since pre-school!” one student shouted.
“I’ve known him since I was 2 or 3!”
“We used to be neighbors!”
Garrett’s classmates support their friend in his new celebrity status. It makes them famous by association and able to visit the site where Garrett and his family will have a new home, in just a few short days.
During the visit the students talked about what the family’s new home might look like. With wide eyes and bouncing blond hair a hand shot up and a girl exclaimed, “Handicap accessible!” They discussed what color Garrett’s new bedroom might be. Some thought green, others thought blue, but the group settled on red since it’s his favorite color. They imagined the theme of the room would have something to do with his interests, including ghosts, Greek mythology or sports.
“We wanted to bring kids down to the site not only to show our enthusiasm but our support for what everyone is doing,” says Jamie York, Garrett’s fifth grade teacher. Just two days ago, York welled up with tears when she drove by and could feel the energy coming from the site.
Ian talks to a local television reporter.
Garrett has touched so many people, but the person who knows him best out of all the fifth graders is definitely his friend, Ian.
“We used to live by each other – since we were one, if I remember correctly,” Ian says.
When asked about the site of the Grommesh home and how it looked to him, Ian’s eyes widened.
“They’ve made a lot of progress!” Ian says.
Ian looked at the sign in front of the tent, curious about what the letters “VIP stood for.
When he was told it referred to a “very important person” his eyes widened again and his jaw dropped.
To many, it’s no surprise that Garrett’s biggest supporters, fans and friends are very important people. Souls with Garrett’s energy and spirit always seem to attract others with energy and spirit – like the 5th graders of Ellen Hopkins Elementary.