A rose to all those who for whom 9/11 is more than an annual day we pause to remember the merciless terrorist attack on our nation 15 years ago today. Since that attack, which claimed the lives of more than 3,000 in New York, D.C. And Pennsylvania, thousands of men and women continue to work tirelessly to keep us safe from the savagery of terrorism. Although those efforts have not achieved perfect success – and we have been subject to other attacks – there is little doubt that the coordinated efforts between federal, state and local agencies have prevented numerous other tragedies. From the moment those planes crashed into the Twin Towers, we recognized that the victory over terrorism would be not be swift, or even certain. So, as we pause to remember that awful day 15 years ago, let us also salute all those who dedicate their lives to preventing such terrible events.
A rose to Joe Cook Fine Arts Magnet School, the only school in Mississippi to be named to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s annual “America’s Healthiest Schools” list in 2016. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which promotes healthy lifestyles among school age children, identified 328 schools nationwide which excel at promoting healthy choices and lifestyles for its students. Joe Cook met the standards for a “Bronze Award,” which include health education for all grades, 60-89 active minutes per week, promoting walking or bicycling to school and providing a variety of food options in the cafeteria. Joe Cook was also recognized for its healthy food in the cafeteria — which includes free breakfast for students, water and cups at lunch and pre-sliced fruit — as well as its program “Read, Right and Run!” For the program, students read 26 books, documented themselves doing 26 good deeds and ran 26 miles.
A rose to the Columbus Police Department for Saturday’s event focusing on building a friendly, trusting relationship with our community’s children. Saturday’s event featured food, games and entertainment and allowed children to meet police officers. All too often, police are feared and mistrusted. But in reaching out to young children, that narrative changes as children begin to see police officers in a far different and more positive light. For earlier generations, being a policeman or policewoman was what many children wanted to “grow up to be.” Somewhere over the intervening years, that began to change. By projecting a better, less intimidating and friendlier image to children, police officers build ties with the community. That makes our city safer and better for residents and officers alike.
A rose to the Lowe’s Home Improvement’s Renovation Across the Nation program, which has provided a $50,000 grant to the Columbus Boys & Girls Club. Club director Nadia Colom says the money will help expand the club’s teen program. Currently, 25 teens participate in the after-school program. The grant will help expand facilities to accommodate more teens. There are currently 130 kids ranging from pre-school to teens in the program and we believe increasing the teen program is especially important. As children move into their teen years, the temptations are greater. Having a safe, nurturing environment for teens to study and socialize is strong medicine against the ills of idle time. We commend Lowe’s and the Boys & Girls Clubs for this important work.
Send your suggestions for Roses and thorns to Slim Smith at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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