Garden dedicated in memory of Augusta teacher

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Updated: 7:00 PM Nov 20, 2009 Garden dedicated in memory of Augusta teacher Gail Hendrick was attacked at Murphey Middle School ten years ago. She died from her injuries eight years later, and now, a new memorial is blooming in her honor. Posted: 6:55 PM Nov 20, 2009 Reporter: Blayne Alexander Email Address: blayne.alexander@wrdw.com

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News 12 First at Five, November 20, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- November 22, 1999 is a day Eleanor Hopson will never forget.

"There was a feeling of sadness," Hopson said.

Hopson was the Murphey Middle School principal when Gail Hendrick was attacked. Gail was a special education teacher who was beaten and stabbed by a fourteen-year-old student.

"That day of course I was shocked," Hopson said. "That anything would ever occur of that nature to a school official, to a student, to anyone involved in educating children."

Gail fell into a coma, where she stayed for eight years until her death in 2007.

The attack sent shock waves around Augusta -- and the nation -- and even resulted in a law being passed in her name.

And now, there's another symbol of remembrance. A memorial garden, planted and restored at the school.

It's been almost a decade since the shocking tragedy and those at the school who remember Gail say they'll take comfort in the garden - going there to think of her and know that her spirit lives on.

The garden was first planted nine years ago, and was since moved. Now friends, former colleagues and teachers at Murphey Middle School gathered to rededicate...and to remember the woman they loved.

"She was a beautiful person," said Alfreda Polite, who taught with Gail. "She was a person that you loved to work with, she loved her kids and she just had a great spirit about her."

David Drayton is the student who attacked Gail. He was charged with murder after she died in 2007. Last February he plead guilty and is serving a 20 year prison sentence.

A scholarship has been set up in Gail's name, to be given every year to a Murphey Middle School student. Click on the link below to find out how to donate.

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