Special Olympics Plants Tree In Honor Of Marquis Todd

Michelle and Malcolm Turner help plant a tree in honor of their son, Marquis Todd, on Saturday.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The planting of a tree in someone’s memory is a living tribute that will benefit future generations and provide a long-lasting memorial.

On Saturday, family, friends, students, and faculty of Wm. Penn gathered just outside the northwest corner of the Penn Activity Center (PAC) to plant a tree in memory of Marquis Todd.

William Penn President John Ottosson started the ceremony by welcoming Michelle and Malcolm Turner, parents of Marquis Todd. “I have had the chance to talk with them on several occasions. Their appreciation for the William Penn family is so gracious and so comforting to me.”

Ottosson said the Turners wanted to be at the tree planting to show the William Penn community how much they appreciate “what you have done to reach out to them.”

Blake Sandquist, Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach for William Penn University, thanked the over three dozen gathered for being there, and for supporting the team after the death of Marquis Todd. “This was very tough for us, my family included. All of our guys, they went through hell.”

“In the amount of time Marquis was here in Oskaloosa was a little over six months, and the impact — just look around today,” added Sandquist. “Random people that I don’t even know have come up and said, wow, he always had a smile on his face. Just a beautiful kid; A beautiful soul; and a special teammate that we’ll all cherish.”

Sandquist turned towards Marquis Todd’s parents saying, “That’s a testament how you guys did with him as parents, and we appreciate you, and we appreciate you sharing him with us.”

“Thank you for coming. This is nice,” said Malcolm Turner as the tree was planted.

Tamara Spark, with Oskaloosa Special Olympics, helped to spearhead the tree planting ceremony.

Spark said the reason for them being involved goes back to when the Special Olympics athletes attended a William Penn Men’s Basketball game. “It was so cool. All the guys came down where we were sitting.”

“Every one of them came in and high-fived our athletes,” Sparks remembered of that special moment. “It really touched my heart because some of these kids don’t have family or…,” as Sparks began to cry.

A moment of laughter erupted when Brandon Trotter, men’s basketball player, was seen in the second story window pointing at his shirt that said, “Throw Yo 2’s Up” in memory of Marquis Todd’s jersey number 22.

Sparks thanked the team for taking the time for the Special Olympics athletes.

With that, the crowd departed, having shared another memory of Marquis Todd.