HONORING HEROES — McKinley STEM Academy held a 9/11 observance, hosting activities at the campus flagpole. Students were joined by family members, first responders and community leaders and included student presentations and patriotic music by the Steubenville High School Big Red Marching Band. Making windsocks and homemade thank-you cards distributed to local safety forces were third-graders Dominance Crawford and Kasen Filtz. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Students at McKinley STEM Academy joined family members, community leaders and first responders to honor heroes during a 9/11 observance held at the flagpole of the school Sept. 10.

To commemorate that day 24 years ago, and to recognize local safety forces for what they do for area residents, the school featured patriotic music by the Steubenville High School Big Red Marching Band, with students presenting readings and poetry for those in attendance.

Third-grade teacher Amy Bailey planned the Patriot’s Day ceremony, saying it was a time to reflect upon an unforgettable day in U.S. history.

“We invited first responders, city officials, the Big Red Marching Band and our school and families,” Bailey noted. “We have done this since 2019.” Bailey stated this was the first year for family members to be included. “We also made thank-you cards for city officials and first responders.”

Students created about 100 cards and patriotic windsocks. First responders were invited to refreshments following the event. Attendees were encouraged to wear red, white and blue in the spirit of the day.

Bailey explained officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Steubenville Police Department, Steubenville Fire Department and EMS, along with city council, have taken part in the event, including Mayor Jerry Barilla and City Manager Jim Mavromatis, who have shared words with those gathered.

“It was something to teach the little ones about an event that shaped our world,” Bailey said of the annual observance. “It wasn’t that long ago that history was rewritten and we wanted a gentle way to teach them about it.” She added children needed to be told that “We have heroes who walk among us every day.”