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Councilman Greg Stanton's
Arcadia News Column
November 2001
Over the past couple of months, we’ve witnessed a re-birth of patriotism in our community and country as a whole. As we walk through our neighborhoods and drive our streets, we see displays of our flag.
Our patriotic resurgence includes our young citizens. In fact, the charitable and patriotic activities the young people in our community have been doing are nothing less than inspiring.
At Hopi Elementary School, the Student Council organized and managed the “Coins for Kids” campaign. The money collected – several thousand dollars – went to help in the relief efforts in New York City, and was matched by Albertson’s grocery store. Students also mailed letters and cards to the firefighters working at the World Trade Center site.
Ingelside Middle School has also been busy showing their pride in America and concern for those in need. A local tree-trimmer donated his truck to be used as a “patriotic canvas” for an Ingelside art class. Students painted American flags on the truck for everyone to see and enjoy. The National Junior Honor Society at this school also conducted a very successful fundraiser for the American Red Cross in which several thousands dollars were collected and donated.
Arcadia High School celebrated their homecoming in late September. Originally, students had planned the homecoming parade theme to be “Las Vegas.” However, they decided instead to change the theme to “United As One.” This revised theme resulted in some amazingly inspirational displays of not only school spirit, but patriotic spirit, from each class. The public voted for the best float by donating money that would be sent to the American Red Cross. The Senior Class was victorious with its “USA” float that featured a re-creation of the image of the relief workers raising a flag on the rubble of the World Trade Center. In my view, every class and every student was a winner – by stepping back and taking a broader view of our country and its needs, these young people changed the plans they made for homecoming and came up with a great way to show their pride and concern for America.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the youth in our community for their hard work and patriotism. We depend on you to carry on our great American way of life to future generations. It is inspiring to see everyone giving so much and expecting nothing in return.
If you’d like to share other stories of charity and patriotism in our community, or for any other questions or concerns, feel free to call my office at 602-262-7491 or e-mail me at greg.stanton@phoenix.gov.
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