Unionville High School Technology and Engineering students have created two benches for the Kennett Square YMCA in honor of their late friend Emma Hill, who died last year at 16 from an illness, according to a staff report from The Daily Local News.

The student lead on the project was Courtney Brennan, a Unionville High School senior and Hill family neighbor. Brennan created the designs for the benches, coordinated with the family, and led the team of students through the construction project.

“I was approached by Mr. Berkeihiser about the bench project in memory of Emma last year, and I wanted to lead the project because I wanted to see it done right for her,” said Brennan.

Brennan took photos of the benches and hardware outside the UHS athletic offices and measured them, as they were used as a model. She used the pictures to create sketches and scale models within the engineering software and compiled a materials list.

After all the required materials had been purchased and cut into unique shapes, students sanded, stained, and treated all the wood before putting together the benches.

“The benches are a very meaningful project, and I’m glad to have had the contribution of my classmates and help from Mr. Berkeihiser to accomplish this for the Hill family and the Kennett community,” she said.

Read more about the students’ project to honor Emma Hill in The Daily Local News.