Marla’s memory lives at BHS

Student Richard Baird helps keep the displays organized at ‘Marla’s Mall ‘ at Baker High. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

She died of breast cancer on Jan. 19, 2007, at the age of 45.

But Cavallo’s memory and influence continue to linger in the space where she taught for nearly 20 years.

These days that room, in the back of the small gym across the hall from the high school’s large gymnasium, houses the Youth to Youth program that works to create a positive climate for students on campus and in the community.

Another element was added to the room during the holiday season, which will stand as a memorial tribute to Cavallo.

Known as “Marla’s Mall,” the room is filled with a collection of clothing, accessories and even personal hygiene items donated to the school for free distribution to students and their families.

The concept of the clothing center in honor of the late physical education/health teacher came about in conversations between several of Cavallo’s friends and fellow teachers.

Kim Virtue says the idea started as a “community brainstorm” session. Virtue teaches students in the BHS Learning Opportunity Center, an in-house alternative program to help students who’ve fallen behind in their work gain the credits they need to graduate.

She  says she and Tammy Pierce of the Department of Human Services “kind of got the idea simultaneously. We thought: We really need this — and we do.”

And because the clothing is housed in Cavallo’s former room, they thought it would be a great tribute to a teacher who had done so much for so many students over the years, Virtue said.

“This is still Marla’s space, no doubt about it,” she said. “Marla had a big heart, a big voice and she had a big presence.

“There are a lot of adults who are successful today because of her.”

Cavallo would have been very approving of the clothing giveaway, said Amy Powell, coordinator of the Youth in Transition program, which provides a transition to post-high school life for students with learning disabilities.

“Marla loved to give stuff away,” Powell said of  the “loved, opinionated, PE teacher.”

Powell recalls her first day on the job five years ago when she was confronted by Cavallo after she’d inadvertently parked her car in the longtime teacher’s reserved space.

“I thought she was kidding,” Powell remembers. “She wasn’t.”

But, before she died Cavallo made up for the gruff welcome she’d given Powell that first day.

“She gave me her parking spot,” Powell said.

While helping families stretch their clothing budgets, the school will use Marla’s Mall to provide job-training skills for students in Powell’s programs and volunteer work experience for students in Virtue’s program. The clothing also will help students in need prepare for job interviews or dress for other  special occasions.

Powell is especially appreciative of the on-campus training the shop provides, thus eliminating transportation issues.

“There are several of our students with disabilities who love clothes and love working with clothes and have really taken to this part of it,” she said.

Amanda Smull, coordinator of the School Site One Stop Program (SOS), also is working to connect families with the items available at Marla’s Mall.

SOS is a collaborative effort of social service agencies and schools designed to help families.

The clothing also has been offered to community residents who are transitioning to new jobs through Oregon WorkSource or DHS and those undergoing drug and alcohol treatment at Baker House.

Powell said donated items began drifting in after she sent a districtwide e-mail to 5J staff members telling them of the plan.

“Our goal was at least to meet some needs for Christmas,” she said. “It has taken on a life of its own.”

The Learning Center students also operate the Bulldog Blender, producing blended cold drinks for sale to students at different times throughout the day. Part of the lesson the staff hopes to convey to the students through that program is the value of giving back to the community, Powell says.

To help get Marla’s Mall established, the students used part of their profits to help buy personal hygiene products such as deodorant, bath soap and toothbrushes to give away to those in need.

National Honor Society donated $300 and Future Business Leaders of America, Leadership Class and members of the cheerleading squad, which Powell coaches, have contributed their time to organizing the donated items.

Maurices began collecting gently used clothing to contribute to the project during the holidays and plans to continue to serve as a drop site. The Treasure Box donated used clothing, the Clothing Outlet and Virtue’s husband, Steve, provided display racks. School district employees and their friends and neighbors also have contributed to the effort.

“There is lots of need and lots of give,” Virtue said. “Baker gives.”

Items may be prewashed before they are brought in or they will be washed at the school using washers and dryers in the Learning Center and in Gere Richardson’s Family and Consumer Services classroom.

Any contributions will be accepted, but gently used items are especially appreciated, Powell said. Boys sizes 13 to 18 are items of most need at this time.

Financial donations and gift certificates also are being accepted to help provide families with personal items such as undergarments, Virtue said. Checks may be made out to Baker High School or Baker School District.

The clothing inventory ranges from PE clothes to formal gowns, men’s sports jackets, slacks and winter coats, hats and gloves. Infant clothing and other baby items as well as belts, purses and other accessories also are available.

In order to allow families to shop privately, the store will be open by appointment.

“We hope we can open it one family at a time,” Virtue said.

Call her at 541-524-2614 or Smull at 541-523-8450 to arrange a shopping trip at Marla’s Mall. Requests also will be filled at the school and delivered to homes or other district schools, Virtue said.

“We’ll also take last-minute calls,” she added. “Just show up at school and ask during school hours.

“In general there are no set hours,” she said. “When families call, we’ll try to get down here.”

School district staff was given a tour of the mall during an open house Jan. 22.

Virtue said she hopes to keep the school employees aware of what’s available so that when they see a need they can make referrals.

The store will be open to provide free clothing to the community on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.