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Showing their true colors Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Crater High School 10th-graders, from left, Jennifer Speaks, Hayley Dixon and Meghan Hogan join arms to create an American flag Thursday. It's one of many ways Crater students interpreted the flag as they observed the first-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. By DAMIAN MANN Painting a flag on a toilet seat might sound like patriotism run amok, but for Crater High School sophomores, it helps them come to terms with terrorism. As part of an American Government Experience class, 65 sophomores were told to get creative for the one-month anniversary of the attacks. They picked various objects on which to draw the American and Oregon flags, such as cakes or clothing, but also little red wagons, pumpkins and, yes, toilet seats. Across the Rogue Valley, students have shown a keen interest in the terrorist attacks that occurred Sept. 11. Many students who had no idea where Afghanistan is now know considerably more about the Middle East, Islam and, unfortunately, terrorism. Crater social studies teacher Donna Hildebrand, who shares the government class with Alan Burjoski, said Thursday that the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon have made a huge difference on student interest in government and patriotism. "We've never had this amount of creative interpretation of the flag," she said. "Their imaginations have run wild." So wild, that some of their ideas, like painting a toilet seat, were a little disconcerting at first. "They didn't want it to be disrespectful," she said. Michelle Moore, 15, Central Point, said she was a little worried at first about people's reaction to her idea. But, with her teachers' blessing, she forged ahead. "It's cool," she said. "You can paint on both sides of the seat." Alissa Lotts, 15, Central Point, took an entirely different approach when she created a flag out of grated wax for the stripes and candles for the stars. "I was thinking of something we did at girls camp when I was younger," she said. "We lit candles and put them in the river." Other students decided to combine their efforts by painting their clothing so that when they stand together with outstretched arms, they form the shape of the flag. Despite this display of patriotism, the girls have their own personal reactions to the American bombing of Afghanistan. "We love our country," said Jennifer Speaks, 15, Gold Hill. "But we don't think we should have bombed Afghanistan. Two wrongs don't make a right." Both Jennifer and her friend Meghan Hogan, 15, also Gold Hill, believe Osama bin Laden should be captured and tried in an American court. The two girls also believe that the United States should help the people trapped under the Taliban regime and continue to provide humanitarian aid. Kyle Lambert, 16, Central Point, fully supported the response to the terrorist attack. "I think Bush has taken a real good approach to the problem," he said. "He is making his dad pretty proud." He believes military actions could last years. "If I had to, I would go over there," he said. Other students throughout the Rogue Valley have responded to the terrorist attacks with their own brand of patriotism. Darlene Hale, office manager at Griffin Creek Elementary School, said a 3-by-4-foot sign that was sent to Ground Zero in New York City stated simply: "Griffin Creek Elementary School, Medford, Oregon, Cares About You." "They all felt so bad about what happened" that a sign was sent back with a local minister, Hale said. "All the kids in the school and staff members signed it." The laminated placard now sits on one of Manhattan's busiest streets - Broadway - and the reaction from New Yorkers has been overwhelming. Principal Virginia Hicks said she picked up the phone recently and a gruff-sounding voice said, "I'm Vito from New York. I'd like to thank you for that sign." Griffin Creek students also felt there was more they could do to help out. They collected their ice cream and student store money for a week, amassing $550.51 for the Red Cross. At Hedrick Middle School, 400 teddy bears have been collected to lend comfort to some of the children who lost parents in the World Trade Center. Students from Bellview Elementary School in Ashland have raised $5,000 for the families who have suffered losses from the World Trade Center tragedy. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.