HOWARD — Elementary students in the Danville and East Knox school districts have created their own artwork to commemorate the events of 9/11 and to honor those individuals who were the first to respond and try to help.
Pupils in kindergarten through grade three colored fire trucks, some adding embellishments of their own, and older students were asked to create their own design.
The artwork was “commissioned” by members of the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District, and the firefighters also served as judges to choose a winner in each grade.
Capt. Regis Fowler said he was impressed with all of the submitted designs, especially the symbolism many of the students used in their drawings.
“The kids have really shown a reverence for what happened,” he said. “Even the youngest ones seemed to have a sense of patriotism and some understanding of the importance of remembering what happened.”
Although it was somewhat difficult to choose winners, the artwork of the following students took top honors:
Danville — Kindergarten, Elijah West; grade one, Tessa Ferenbaugh; grade two, Ethan Holt; grade three, Aiden Bell; grade four, Wade Mickley; grade five, Mark West; and grade six, Alex Metcalf.
East Knox — Kindergarten, Holden Wilhoit; grade one, Mackenzie Harmon; grade two; Alex Miller; grade four, Maycee Roman; and grade five, Alexis Bostick.
East Knox third-graders, Fowler said, chose to write letters to the firefighters, and will complete their drawings later.
All of the students’ artwork will be displayed at the fire station, Fowler said.