In a beautiful tribute to Sophia and her legacy, the Kaleo Foundation, alongside OG&E, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oklahoma Beautiful, and Shine, celebrated the dedication of Sophia’s Memorial Garden yesterday at Esperanza Elementary School. The garden, a project spearheaded by Kaleo, has become a centerpiece for the community—a place where students, families, and neighbors can come together to honor Sophia and celebrate the nurturing power of nature.
The dedication ceremony was marked by a ribbon-cutting, which unveiled 14 raised beds filled with fresh produce, all tended to by the students themselves. In the spirit of sharing, the harvest was distributed to families and neighbors after the event, a gesture that reflects both Sophia’s spirit and the collaborative work of the community partners who helped bring the garden to life.
“When students spend time in the gardens, they develop direct connections to concepts related to nutrition, science, and life skills,” said Kasey Meek, Oklahoma City Beautiful’s Education Director, during her remarks at the event. The garden at Esperanza Elementary is part of a broader outdoor education program that currently engages 50 students in hands-on learning experiences. Through their work in the garden, these students learn about the natural world, how to grow food, and how to take care of the land—a skillset that Meek and other advocates believe will have a lasting impact.
As the program continues to grow, Kaleo and its partners are optimistic about the future of the garden and its expanding role within the school community.
