Black Mountain Elementary to dedicate bookshelf in memory of Blaze Crowder

PTO seeks books, games and other items for May 4 ceremony

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 26, 2023

Black Mountain Elementary School and the Black Mountain Schools PTO will dedicate “Blaze’s Bookshelf,” in memory of former student Anakin Blaze Crowder, who passed away in 2021 after a battle with brain cancer. Photo courtesy of Black Mountain Schools PTO

When Anakin Crowder, known to his friends and family as “Blaze,” was a student at Black Mountain Elementary School, he was regarded as an avid gamer, a faithful friend and a loving sibling. In 2021, when he passed away after battling a rare form of brain cancer, he was celebrated for his kindness and courage. 

His legacy will live on in the halls of his former school, through a partnership with the Black Mountain Schools PTO in a special dedication ceremony, at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 4, unveiling Blaze’s Bookshelf in the BME library. 

The initiative to honor the memory of Crowder, a passionate Star Wars fan who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme while attending the school, was set in motion by first-year principal Michael Benigno. 

“Mr. Benigno came to one of our PTO meetings and told us he thought it would be a good idea to memorialize Blaze at the school,” PTO President Katie Duvall said. “We were immediately supportive and willing to help.”

Blaze’s Bookshelf will contain items inspired by Crowder’s favorite things, according to Duvall. Benigno has already placed a framed Star Wars poster in the area, she added.

“We reached out to Blaze’s mother to find out if there were specific things she wanted us to add,” she said. “We put together an Amazon wish list and we’re asking the community to go there and purchase items for the shelf.” 

The list, linked here, will remain open through Sunday, April 30. 

“We’ve had people buy several things already,” Duvall said. “It’s amazing to see the community step up for this special tribute.” 

The bookshelf will be dedicated on a day commonly known as “May the Fourth Be With You,” when fans celebrate the film franchise from which Crowder’s first name originated. 

“Teachers have wonderful memories of Blaze, and he has siblings in the local schools,” Duvall said. “So, we think it’s a great idea to do something that honors his memory in his school.”