By Callie Buys
Congressman Chris Cannon, R-Utah, honored students at Canyon Crest Elementary School in Provo last week for their book written to extend support to victims of the September 11 attacks. Canyon Crest instructional assistant Janae Lamb compiled writings from fifth and sixth grade students expressing grief for victims and support for heroes into a book entitled “From the Mountains….”
“I think this is the best way I could help the people that have lost loved ones,” fifth-grade student Chelsea Bridgewater, 10, said. “I”m glad that we wrote it because it has a lot of good letters in it.”
Lamb compiled the book as a way to combat feelings of helplessness after the attacks. Creating the book helped children make a connection to the victims, she said.
“There is nothing better than the straight honesty of a kid,” Lamb said.
The students have earned $700 dollars from book proceeds thus far, with a goal to reach $2000. The money will be donated to the New York City mayor”s office, to be distributed to children who lost a parent in the attacks.
“It made me feel exciting because I knew the people in New York were going to read it,” said sixth-grade student Faith Simonsen, 12.
The book was published and presented to Cannon in December. Copies were delivered to President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and Vice President Cheney.
Thirty-five books were also sent to the New York City Fire Chief.
“I was just thanking the firefighters for doing such a good job,” said 12-year-old Tanner Perry, a sixth grade student. “They must feel really good because they saved so many lives.”
Cannon honored the students in a speech in the United States House of Representatives on December 19, 2001.
He gave the students a framed copy of the official record of the speech in a special presentation at the school on January 17.
“I am honored to have had the privilege of sharing this book with President Bush,” Cannon said in a press release. “These students have shown in the face of tragedy the importance of unity and true patriotism.”
Fifth-grade student Marc Cabanilla, 10, wrote, “I remember the day of the tragedy when so many Americans died. Two planes had just crashed into the Twin Towers in NYC. The planes were big planes…757”s. The same kind my dad flies. He was gone that day because he was flying. Later we found out he was okay. But we also found out there were a lot of moms and dads that weren”t okay.”
“It is a good way to show our feelings to America,” Cabanilla said.
