WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — When Melissa Manwaring saw reports of Afghan students ridiculed and persecuted in the United States after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she reacted by writing a poem and drawing a picture.

Examining the anthology are eighth-graders Aaron Shaw (left), Bradley Wehmeier, Julie Boak, Alec Sim and Jacob Austin. Every student at Lakota Ridge Junior School could submit one item. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        The picture, named Children of America, is one of 200-plus drawings, poems, essays, cartoons and short stories included in an anthology about America assembled by Lakota Ridge Junior School teachers Lynn Angus and Christy Walter. The 180-page softbound volume was copied and bound by the school's parent-teacher group and is being sold for $5 by student council members. Proceeds will go to Reach Out Lakota and to create a memorial at the school to victims of the terrorist attack.

        “We noticed that the kids were already writing in their journals about the attack. We decided to do this as a way for the kids to get out what they were feeling about the tragedy,” Ms. Angus said. “At the same time they were writing freedom essays for the VFW so we expanded it to anything about America.”

        The project was opened to the entire school. Students could submit only one piece for publication. Melissa, 14, chose her picture, which depicts children of all races.

        “America should be a safe haven,” Melissa said. “(My picture) was to show we are united. We should act as brothers and sisters because we are.”

        Alec Sim, 13, chose to submit a poem outlining different military and other attacks in the world during the 20th century.

        “It clarified for me how I felt about Sept. 11 and historic events,” said Alec.

        Daniel MacKenzie was surprised to find that his reaction to the terrorist attack was similar to his parents' reaction when President Kennedy was assassinated.

        “Everybody was scared. It surprised me that (in) totally different situations people reacted the same,” Daniel said.

        Julie Boak, 13, took the opportunity to talk to her grandfather about his experience in World War II and discovered a different side to him.

        “He always seems like a strong, stable man. But when he was 18 he saw his friends die and all the carnage. I never knew so much had happened to him.”
       

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