The land donation "made me cry," Gardner said. "But it didn't surprise me at all. That's just the Hamiltons . . . extremely caring people, caring about everyone, but with a special . . . caring and understanding of people with disabilities. They go the extra mile."

Kauri Sue attended Jordan Valley, then transferred to Bingham High in her late teens. There, her mother says "she really blossomed" and became active in aerobics, choir and seminary classes for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"She's a blessing to a lot of people," Sharon Hamilton said of the youngest of her six children. "She taught them so much, the normal kids . . . (and) she has taught us a lot about love, unconditional."

Kauri Sue returned to Jordan Valley a couple of years later and remained there through age 22. Her parents continue to serve on the Jordan Valley Supported Employment advisory board, which helps find jobs for alumni.

Kauri Sue now lives in a group home in Utah County — "She calls it her 'college,' " her mother said — and works at a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities, doing laundry contract work.

Now, her name will become part of district history.

"To honor a student with disabilities is, to me, wonderful. Our kids don't get a lot of recognition," said Jordan Valley teacher Alice Hayes, who taught Kauri Sue 28 years ago. "She . . . always wanted to grow up and be a mother. This way, Kauri Sue is going to touch the lives of children forever."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com