September 19, 2001

Schools honor U.S. victims

Students sing songs, craft ribbons, invest in stock market

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
       While Americans across the country observed Friday's National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, local schools did their part to honor the victims of last weeks terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
      Most schools took time out for a moment of silence during the day. Some found a need to express their feelings of grief and patriotism in more personal ways.
      Students at Interlochen, Old Mission and Westwoods Elementary schools dressed in red, white and blue as a show of American pride.
      Westwoods students also wore remembrance ribbons crafted by fellow students. Jody Olsen, mother of Zachary, Aaron, Jesse and Joshua, said her sons and their friends helped to make the ribbons because they wanted people to know that they are proud to be American.
      Glenn Loomis Elementary students gathered around their flag pole and sang patriotic songs and recited the Pledge of Allegiance as did Cherry Knoll Elementary students when they gathered around their peace pole. Students at Holy Angels Elementary offered prayers for the victims and their families when they held an afternoon prayer service.
      Traverse Heights students are showing their patriotism in a more visible way by displaying hand crafted American flags on their windows.
      Students also have expressed a desire to do something to help those in need. Old Mission Elementary has announced that all fund raising events throughout the school year will go toward the recovery effort. Traverse Heights students are collecting coins while a group of sixth grade girls at Silver Lake Elementary are collecting medical supplies and donations for the American Red Cross.
      Sabin Elementary sixth-grade students raised money for the relief effort by holding a 'run-a-thon' and fellow third-grade classmates had a popcorn and bake sale.
      Fourth, fifth and sixth-grade students at Central Grade School want to show their support by investing in the American economy. Students brought in $366 in donations Monday which they will use to purchase mutual funds. If a profit is earned, it will be given to a charity of the students choosing at the end of the school year.
      "We want to show that if kids can do it, you can do it too," said fifth-grade teacher Jody Meyers. "We are going to put money into the stock market to show our support."