NORWOOD -- The daughter of the former Norwood-Norfolk Central School principal who died in 2012 is honoring her mother by restoring and beautifying the garden of the elementary and middle school.

Kirstie Bigwarfe chose to make the entrance of the school more appealing not only for her Potsdam Central School Capstoner Project, but because it is something that she would help her mother, Joanne Bigwarfe, do when she was the principal at the school.

Joanne Bigwarfe died following cancer surgery. Kirstie Bigwarfe's project was organized as a memorial and meant to honor her mom.

She said she hopes when those entering the school look upon the beautiful variations of colors and flowers, it reminds them of her mother. Bigwarfe completed the restoration project with the help of her aunt Susie Barrett, her dad Brooks brother Konnor and family and friends.

Bigwarfe said she would not have been able to complete her assignment if it wasn't for the many local organizations and clubs at Norwood-Norfolk, such as Patti Dean, advisor to the Norwood Norfolk Key Club, student council advisor Rick Short, Norwood-Norfolk speech and language teachers Kristy Gardner and Heather Morrill, the sophomore class, Norwood Norfolk K-Kids, Kiwanis Club of Norwood, Norwood-Norfolk PTSA, Norwood Norfolk Teachers Association, as well as the generosity of Daryl Kolanko from Potsdam Agway and Kevin and Jennifer Blanchard from Willow Tree Florist in Potsdam.

"This was so much more than just a senior project, it really meant something to me and I'm so happy with how it turned out," Bigwarfe said.