CHICOPEE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Fairview Elementary School students honored a teacher, mentor, and vice principal who died in 2022 with a special color.

For many students, thanks to the children’s book ‘The World Needs More Purple People," the color purple symbolizes kindness, inclusion, and community.

Tuesday morning, students, faculty, community members, and leaders wore purple for the Ann Marie Liswell Memorial Purple Day kickoff.

The initiative honors Liswell, a teacher, mentor, and vide principal who served Chicopee Public Schools for over three decades before dying in 2022.

Knowing the compassion and encouragement she showed every day, everyone both young and old carried on her legacy by sending the message that the differences in each other make us stronger.

Liswell’s son Colby said she would love the event.

“I think she would be in full support, and she would want this exact outcome,” he said.

During the assembly, students heard the reading of “The World Needs More Purple Schools,” which talks about the importance of embracing uniqueness and finding common ground.

With Fairview officially being a “Purple School,” Superintendent Dr. Marcus Ware was challenged to take the movement district-wide.

“I not only accept. I accept it for March 31st, as all 15 schools will participate,” he said.

Colby said he is hopeful the movement will grow.

“I hope that every school can try to copy what we did as best as possible and hopefully make it statewide and even worldwide one day,” he said.

All students and staff are encouraged to wear purple for the first-ever Purple Day on March 31.

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