MERCER COUNTY AREA

Children across the United States and in the county were wearing red, white and blue in their classrooms Wednesday in honor of Sept. 11.

Schools throughout Mercer County observed the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and sent another passenger jet crashing into a field in rural Pennsylvania with a variety of programs and activities.

In Farrell, a group of middle school-aged students expressed their responses to Sept. 11 by creating what teacher Lisa Oliver called "a moving wall."

Through pictures, poems and prose, the students expressed sadness for the victims, thankfulness to police, firefighters and other rescue workers, national pride, prayers for peace and hope for the future.

While eagles, flags and spiritual symbols abound, some of the children made their points in unusual ways.

Carina McCray drew a picture of children playing at a playground and a woman feeding birds.

Ericka White honored New York with drawings of the Statue of Liberty, the New York Yankees' logo, Lake Ontario and the Hudson River.

To thank police, Rachel Legg cut out a Herald photograph of Southwest Mercer County Regional police at a crime scene, and Nicole Maleychik offered a flag for firefighters.

Kathryn Shebeck used photographs of Norman Rockwell's World War II-era "Four Freedoms" paintings and a current photograph of a man at a microphone to promote American ideals.

Amid repeated scribblings of the word "peace" and the yin and yang symbol, Chris Campbell wrote, "Strong weapons are not the only thing we need. If we have peace, there would be no need for weapons."

"September 11th was a very sad day, but we made it through," wrote Nikole Barretta. "People now have their heads up high and our smiles big."

Ms. Oliver said she hopes the wall will be displayed at other schools.

Elsewhere, third-grade students in New Wilmington Elementary School, Luther Low Elementary School, and one home-schooled student, explained what America means to them and why they were wearing patriotic colors Wednesday.

"America means pride and I think its really fun to have it," said Briana Schneider, 8, of New Wilmington. "I think we're wearing these colors because, like, 3,000 people died last year."

"It means we're free. I like to be free. We don't have to be bossed around like other countries do," said Taylor Romian, 8, of Luther Low Elementary School.

Casey Bell, 8, of New Wilmington, said: "It means freedom, hope and bravery. It means you have confidence in yourself and the country," she said, adding that she was wearing patriotic colors "because its red, white and blue day."

Homeschool student Erin Whalen, 9, of Sharon, also felt freedom was important.

"I'm happy that my country is free and that we get to worship the way we want to and read the Bible," she said adding that the day was about remembering "a plane that hit the two towers on Sept. 11."

"We're wearing these colors because the twin towers fell and people died saving America and saving us to have a good world," said Amanda Novosel, 8, of Luther Low.

"September 11 was a sad day because a lot of people died an stuff like that," said Shelley Pontera, 8, of Luther Low. "Being an American is important to a lot of people because in a lot of countries, they tell you what to do."

New Wilmington students Adrielle Baldwin and Mariah Burns, who are both 8, said that America means freedom. "Lots of people that died that day died for our freedom," said Mariah.

"Everybody has freedom and that's what America means to me," said Jacob Puskar, 9, of Luther Low Elementary School.

"Yeah," said Blake DeStasio, 8, of Luther Low. "Just that we all have a good life, have a good time and laugh."