Pupils show gratitude for safety workers

BOARDMAN -- A regular board of trustees meeting here Tuesday turned into a tribute to the men and women in the area who daily risk their own personal safety to make sure citizens are free from danger.
In light of the Sept. 11 attacks, the police department's youth diversion program officers encouraged pupils at every grade level in all township schools to submit a letter, essay or piece of original artwork in honor of police and fire personnel, and emergency medical service providers. Organizers said the display was a means of thanking public safety workers.
"This was the students' way to show their appreciation to all the police and firefighters for all they have done since Sept. 11," said Trustee Tom Costello. "There has been a heightened awareness to security efforts and this was a way of getting the children involved and allowing them to show their appreciation."
Fourteen pupils were invited to make presentations before trustees. The various submissions will be shared with local police and fire personnel and eventually sent to New York to be shared with emergency workers close to the attack on the World Trade Center.