Ms. Kleinmaier’s students from the past four years gathered in her classroom on Sept. 17 to celebrate the memory of Cocoa.
Cocoa was a class pet for room 605. She was a bearded dragon who made an impact on many students at Hamilton.
Cocoa changed many students’ opinions on having a friendly relationship with reptiles, Ms. Kleinmaier told the packed room at the memorial.
“Cocoa was a rescue animal that needed a home,” Ms. Kleinmaier said.
She had Cocoa for seven years. For three years, Cocoa spent time getting to know the students here at Hamilton and informing them about reptiles and how you can help them by doing things to make our environment better.
At the memorial, students colored, viewed photos of Cocoa, and ate gummy worms and pudding to represent some of Cocoa’s favorite snacks. Students said they learned how to love Cocoa as much as Ms. Kleinmaier.
“When I first learned that Cocoa passed away, I was very sad because she has been here my whole high school experience,” said Yazmine Chinchilla, a senior in BIT and a student in Ms. Kleinmaier’s class. “When I went to her ceremony it was very beautiful.”
Cocoa will be remembered for her kindness, cuteness, and the way she loved us, the students at the memorial agreed.
