The Huntington High School PTSA joined its peers around the country by recently participating in the Snowflakes for Sandy Hook campaign following the horrific slaughter of 20 elementary school students and six staff members by a lone gunman who barged into the building.
The Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., shocked and saddened the nation and world. The National PTA quickly encouraged all of its affiliates to participate in the creation of a “winter wonderland” to welcome Sandy Hook’s students back to school when the youngsters resumed classes in a new building.
Huntington High School PTSA members spent two days in the school cafeteria working with students as they cut-out white paper snowflakes for the initiative. The teenagers were enthusiastic and emotionally moved by the idea of creating something that might make a child who has been through so much, smile for even just a short moment.
“When I received the email from the National PTA explaining what we had to do to take part and do our share, I thought this is the least we can do to help these children and teachers to heal and try to move on,” said Alice Marie Rorke, president of the Huntington High School PTSA. “If it brings the children joy to see all of these beautiful snowflakes, then it is something we will do with our students at the high school. Everyone was so affected by this horrible unspeakable tragedy. Whatever we can do to help, we’ll do!”
Huntington students displayed their creativity and many personally signed their snowflakes. Some wrote a “note of hope and love” to the Sandy Hook children. There was also a journal of thoughts and prayers that students and teachers were able to sign if they so desired.
“Just as no two snowflakes are alike, neither were those 26 souls who lost their lives that day,” Mrs. Rorke said. “The snowflakes celebrate the individual uniqueness and preciousness of every human life and that is something to celebrate and remember.”
