South Plainfield High School Dedicates Memorial Wall for Four Students

On August 12, 2026, the South Plainfield Board of Education officially dedicated a memorial wall in South Plainfield High School's information center, honoring four students who passed away while enrolled in the school district. The mural, created by artist Larry Roibal, features a large tree accented by subtle glow, colorful butterflies, and green leaves. Four leaves bear the names of the students being honored: Karli Colapietro and Alize Jefferson (Class of 2018, who died in 2014 and 2012 respectively), Sarmad Rizvi (Class of 2015, who passed away in 2014), and Travon Dickson (who died in 2020 and would have graduated in 2023). The dedication brought together student families and school community members to honor the students' memory.

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Memorial Wall Design and Inspiration

The mural's design draws inspiration from hallway artwork that Karli and Alize's classmates had painted in their memory years ago. That original hallway artwork was later covered, prompting community conversation about student remembrance. Roibal's memorial wall design honors both the original artwork and the students themselves, featuring a tree as central symbol of growth, continuity, and life.

The tree imagery—with butterflies and green leaves—creates visual representation of life, transformation, and memory. The four leaves bearing student names connect individual remembrance to the larger living tree, suggesting ongoing presence within the school community.

Students Being Honored

Karli Colapietro and Alize Jefferson were classmates in the Class of 2018. Karli died in 2014 at age 14 or 15, and Alize died in 2012 at age 12 or 13. Their premature deaths impacted their classmates, who later created hallway artwork in their memory.

Sarmad Rizvi was a Class of 2015 member who passed away in 2014.

Travon Dickson died in 2020 at age 17 or 18 and would have graduated in 2023. His sister Jazlyn attends South Plainfield High School and will see the memorial during her senior year.

Family Presence and Reflection

The Dickson, Colapietro, and Rizvi families attended the August 12 dedication, bringing personal presence and family remembrance to the ceremony.

James Colapietro, Karli's father, reflected on both the original hallway artwork and the new memorial wall: "It is a shame that it was covered up because the original was beautiful and heartfelt, but this is a very nice tribute. I hope no other names are added to the leaves."

His statement acknowledges the loss represented by the memorial while hoping future students will not experience similar losses—a poignant expression of parental concern and community care.

Dickson Family Response

Travon's father, Samad Dickson, called the wall "a great way to remember him" and described it as "definitely beautiful." Travon's mother, Jacqueline Dickson, praised the mural's artistic quality: "I love what they did; they were actually able to capture light. It is a very nice way to honor them."

The family's appreciation reflects both grief and gratitude—honoring their son's memory through permanent school tribute.

Student Perspective

Travon's sister Jazlyn, a current South Plainfield High School student, will see the memorial wall during her senior year. For her and other students, the wall provides visible, permanent acknowledgment of classmates and school community members who have died—creating space for collective remembrance and continuing connection.

Board of Education Leadership

Board of Education President Tom Cassio addressed families and school community at the dedication: "Each name represents a life that mattered — a family who continues to carry that loss — and a student who will forever be a part of the story of South Plainfield. Their names remain here; their memories remain here; and their place in the South Plainfield family remains here."

Cassio's statement affirms school community commitment to remembrance and acknowledges the ongoing grief carried by families. The permanent memorial transforms abstract loss into concrete community acknowledgment.

School as Community and Remembrance Space

The memorial wall positions the school as community gathering space and site of remembrance. By dedicating permanent memorial space, the school acknowledges student deaths as significant community events worthy of lasting recognition.

The information center location—a public school space—ensures the memorial remains visible and accessible to students, families, faculty, and visitors. The permanent installation signals institutional commitment to student memory and community care.

Artistic Remembrance

Artist Larry Roibal's design creates visual and emotional container for grief and remembrance. The tree, butterflies, and light imagery provide symbolic language for transformation, continuation, and spiritual presence—offering artistic framework for community mourning and memory.

Ongoing Community Care

The memorial wall represents South Plainfield school community's commitment to honoring students who have died. The dedication ceremony brought community together around shared loss and collective remembrance—creating space for families to know their children are remembered within the school community.

For students attending South Plainfield High School, the memorial serves as ongoing reminder of classmates and school community members who have died, fostering empathy, awareness of fragility, and community care.

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FAQ

Q: What is the South Plainfield High School memorial wall?
A: A permanent mural in the school's information center honoring four students who died while enrolled in the district. Dedicated August 12, 2026.

Q: Who are the four students being honored?
A: Karli Colapietro (Class of 2018, died 2014), Alize Jefferson (Class of 2018, died 2012), Sarmad Rizvi (Class of 2015, died 2014), and Travon Dickson (would have graduated 2023, died 2020).

Q: Who designed the memorial wall?
A: Artist Larry Roibal created the mural.

Q: What does the mural look like?
A: The mural features a large tree with subtle glow, colorful butterflies, and green leaves. Four leaves bear the students' names. A banner reads "In Memory of Our South Plainfield Classmates."

Q: Where is the memorial wall located?
A: South Plainfield High School's information center.

Q: Were families present at the dedication?
A: Yes. The Dickson, Colapietro, and Rizvi families attended the August 12, 2026 dedication ceremony.

Q: What was the inspiration for the memorial design?
A: The design was inspired by hallway artwork that classmates had painted in memory of Karli and Alize. That original mural was later covered.

Q: Does the memorial wall honor only these four students?
A: Currently, yes. The memorial honors these four students who died while enrolled in South Plainfield Schools.