Friday, September 20, 2002
|
Friday, September 20, 2002 |
|
Students remember 9/11 Coweta County School students showed their patriotism and their concern on September 11, as they commemorated Patriot Day at each of their schools. Students gathered around flags half-mast at elementary, middle and high schools across the county throughout the day. Students at Northgate High School chipped in for lunch for neighboring county firemen. Kathy Bizarth and the Newnan High School Choir sang God Bless America and America the Beautiful for citizens at the county's "Coweta Remembers" ceremony on the Court Square in Newnan. Arnco-Sargent Elementary Schools was one of many elementary schools that held special commemoration, remembering "the heroes of 9-11 and saluting the everyday heroes among us." Parents and Coweta County firefighters, Sheriff's deputies and other emergency workers joined students at that school as they gathered around their flagpole at 9:11 a.m. Wednesday morning. Arnco-Sargent Counselor Sandy Olsen welcomed the students and recognized attending local law enforcement and emergency personnel, and told students that the central question for them that day was "to tell your teacher who one of our local heroes is and what makes them a hero." Mentioning the attacks of one year ago, Olsen said that "it is fitting and proper that we pay tribute to the lives that were lost," and to those who were there - and here in Coweta County - to provide rescue and comfort." "We salute you, we thank you, we love you for what you do... You are our role models, you are everyday heroes." "Today is a day for patriotism," said Olsen. Students gathered in front of the school around the "heroes garden" that also contains the Arnco-Sargent flagpole. Teacher Judy Davis received a Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation Environmental Education grant for the garden last year, and she and parent Charlotte Shellnut have worked assiduously since last year planting and caring for the garden, said Principal Karen Barker. The two laid student-made stepping stones and a local company donated a monument to 9-11 which sites at the base of the flagpole. The marble monument was unveiled during the ceremony; students pledged to the flag; and red white and blue balloons were released as students sang "God Bless the USA."
|
||