OGDEN — When Katie Bakker arrived about a year ago to begin her job as advancement director for St. Joseph Catholic Schools in Ogden, alumni “kept telling me the same story” about a piece of artwork that had been painted on the front wall of the elementary school’s main office.“It was a donor tree,” she said, describing a tree with branches that extended over the front desk, adorned with fruit inscribed with the names of donors. “Multiple, multiple people told me about it, and just said it was so neat, and the kids would walk down the hallway and be able to say, ‘That’s my grandma, that’s someone that they knew.’”
Over time, the paint peeled, and eventually the tree was painted over; then last year the hall was renovated to accommodate the school’s expansion. However, Bakker and other school officials wanted to find a way to honor the tree’s memory. 
“We just said, ‘If that is something that is meaningful to the community, we can bring back a tree, and we’ll do something that doesn’t need to be repainted,” Bakker said.
The idea of crafting a tree from metal came up, with individual leaves bearing the names of people who have been stewards of the school community.
The tree isThis tree, made of metal, contains leaves inscribed with the names of people who have contributed time, talent and treasure to St. Joseph Elementary; it is installed in the school’s main hallway. IC photo/Marie Mischel   “a visual way to show our appreciation to our donors” who have supported the school, said Jean Synowicki, principal of St. Joseph Elementary. 
The word “donor” typically calls up a financial contributor, but the tree at the school will carry the names of all those who contribute “time, treasure and talents. … Some of the best gifts to schools aren’t always financial,” said Bakker, who with her husband designed the piece. The artwork was then crafted in metal by Structural Steel and Plate Fabrication, the same company that created the Celtic cross at St. Olaf Catholic Elementary School in Bountiful. 
The metal tree was installed directly across from the school’s main desk this summer. It already has several names of long-time stewards: Nancy Essary, a former principal who died in May; Kari Lane, an advancement director who was at St. Joseph Catholic Schools for more than a decade; Michael and Denny Joseph, who have donated to many of the school’s projects; and Kathy Cornwell, another financial benefactor whose son, along with his wife, are alumni of both St. Joseph schools; Walker Cornwell also now teaches science at the elementary school.
With the tree now in place, Bakker is looking for notable alumni whose names can be added. The elementary school was founded 150 years ago, “so there’s a lot of people” to consider, she said. 
The tree also will be “a good way also to capture the stories” of alumni, she said, explaining that she plans to have a QR code next to each name that people can scan to learn “who was that person, their story and their connection to the school.”  
Another effort to recognize alumni is under way at St. Joseph Catholic High School, where they are constructing a wall in the pavilion area to honor veterans who attended the school; Bakker is asking the community to submit names for this, as well.
To submit names for consideration for the donor tree or the veterans wall, contact either Bakker or Synowicki through the St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School office, 801-3936051, or email [email protected] or [email protected].