by Samantha Aversano, staff reporter
![Mr. Pelletier sadly died at the young age of 26 to lung cancer. This Japanese Maple Tree describes the beauty in his life and he will forever be apart of the WJPS community even though he left us. Photo taken by Christopher Dadic.](http://wjpsblazer.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/em_thumb.jpg)
Mr. Pelletier, who in students’ opinion, was a great man, was very devoted to the school. He went to great lengths to ensure his students got the learning experience they deserved. To honor Mr. Pelletier, the Environmental club planted a tree dedicated to him.
“I would think he would be grateful [for this] because in his mind he thought he didn’t do much for us, but he actually did,” junior Simon Cho said.
Mr. Pelletier was a science teacher for the middle schoolers. He was diagnosed with lung cancer about a year ago, and passed away in September.
A plaque has been ordered by the Environmental club. On the plaque, “In remembrance of Mr. Pelletier, the science teacher of WJPS,” will be engraved. The plaque will be placed on the floor in front of the Japanese Maple Tree, according to Environmental club president Alice Mungyu.
“Student Government working with the Environmental Club did a phenomenal job. I was really proud and happy of what the outcome was,” sophomore Abhishek Singh said. “Mr. Pelletier did deserve this plaque, as he motivated and inspired all of our lives in some way. He was an amazing person, and I’m glad we can pay our respect back to him this way.”
Environmental club, worked hard at getting the go ahead to plant a tree in his honor. It was placed in the small court yard.The plaque is expected to arrive at the school in early December. There is talk of a very large ceremony that will be taking place as they place the plaque down as well, according to Mungyu.