“I will do good deeds for the honor of the victims,” the 8-year-old’s sign read. “I will pick up lost toys on the playground. I will choose kind words for a week.”
Melani Fournier, 8, pledged to help others read and write. MacKenzie Strout, 8, said she would pick up litter “in honor of the victims and responders.”
Hassan Abdullha, 8, wrote he would do a good deed and “help sick people when I grow up.”
Like many others, Walton students reflected on what they could do for others, especially this week, even though most weren’t born when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
Third-grade teacher Jill Hewes said she teaches 9/11 history in an age-appropriate manner.
“We talked about what (the terrorists) did, hijacking planes and crashing them,” Hewes said. Her class also talked about the importance of being a citizen and of honoring victims, police and firefighters.
At 8:45 a.m., Principal Mike Davis called for an outdoor assembly. Gathered around the flagpole, students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the national anthem.
Davis offered a special welcome to Auburn firefighters Lt. Douglas Ball and Pvt. Keith Saunders, and Auburn police officers Tom Poulin and Marshall McCamish.
“Today, we honor and remember those who serve our country and have served our country,” Davis said. “Today, we also pay tribute to those friends and families who lost their lives in terrible acts 12 years ago.”
The assembly observed a moment of silence.
Afterward, Davis said Sept. 11 is a reminder of the importance of helping others. Every day, police and firefighters work to keep the community safe, he said. Davis thanked first responders. “Let’s give them a round of applause,” he said.
Students then showed off their “I will” projects.
Ariana Gurney came to the microphone and said, “I will be kind to others.”
Next was Gavin LePage. “I will remember the lives that were lost that day. Yours truly, Gavin LePage. P.S., if you guys can hear me in heaven, I wish you were still here.”
Colin Merritt, 10, pledged to thank a firefighter for risking his life. Lila Davin said she would show respect to others. Cora Tomlinson, 10, said she would help Habitat for Humanity.
“I will have a positive attitude for a week,” said Sophie Jones, 11. “I will appreciate my friends; I will take part in my education and I will be happy with the way I am.”
On crutches, Evan Saltis, 11, said he would make and bring food to the homeless shelter “and help our city, even with a broken ankle.”
Davis was impressed. “Wow, there’s a lot of great ideas for some good deeds we can do,” he said.
Every day, morning announcements end with a thought for the day. He asked students to repeat Wednesday’s thought in a loud, “Level 4 or 5” voice.
“I will and I can!” students yelled.
The assembly concluded with the song, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Before heading back inside, students made their way to firefighters to thank them.
Standing near the firetruck, Lt. Ball called the ceremony “wonderful.” His unit does a lot with the school, he said. “These kids are special to us.”
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- Walton Elementary School students gather around the flag Wednesday morning and sing patriotic songs, pledge to do good deeds, remember 9/11 victims and honor those who serve. Principal Mike Davis, in center wearing a red, white and blue tie, leads students.
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- Bonnie will write
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- Bonnie will write
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- Bonnie will write
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- As Walton Elementary School Principal Mike Davis looks on, students read pledges they wrote to help others during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony Wednesday. Evan Saltis, 11, on crutches, said he’d make food and take it to a homeless shelter, “even with a broken ankle.”
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- Walton Elementary Students greet Auburn Fire Department Pvt. Keith Saunders after a 9/11 ceremony outside the school Wednesday morning. Students thanked first responders, remembered victims and pledged to help others.
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