By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE — In some circles at Marysville Pilchuck High School, the state’s largest student body is simply called "the city."
On Friday, that teeming metropolis of 2,700 teen-agers streamed out onto the football field and stood as one — a 60-yard-long human flag of red, white and blue.
At an age when many push the limits of dress codes, they clothed themselves in their country’s colors and reflected on its freedoms. Old Glory wore a fresh and hopeful face in the wake of terrorist attacks that have stolen some of its innocence.
Friday’s assembly and flag formation was an effort to encourage each student and teacher to take pride in being American, while instilling self-respect and appreciation of others.
"In the time of fright, anger, need and hope, we must stick together," senior Joe Davis told his fellow students during the early-morning assembly. "These are times we need each other the most, the times we need to love our neighbors no matter what skin color, what race or religion."
On Sept. 11, senior Aschley Hardesty watched the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in horror. Her cousin, a tourist, died that day.
"A week has passed, but my confusion hasn’t," Hardesty said. "I wonder, as most of you do, why? … We have all lost something, a loved one, even a sense of security. So I ask us all to unite."
The students heard from Everett Fire Chief Murray Gordon and Capt. Daniel Squires, commanding officer of Naval Station Everett. Squires, who witnessed hatred firsthand in Bosnia, central Africa and Jerusalem, marveled at the diversity in his homeland.
"I love America because it is a peaceful mix of diverse people, a mix of religions, races and cultures that has become the world’s defender of personal freedom and individual rights," he said.
Students from the school’s DECA program, which is part of a national student marketing association, played a major role in organizing the event. Yet, Jim Pankiewicz, their marketing teacher, said it took contributions from an entire school to pull it off.
Students urged others to wear America’s colors. With collegial decorum, they formed their flag and looked skyward as a photographer in a Navy helicopter recorded their image.
Beforehand, on the hardwood floor of a darkened gym, 170 students formed a candle-lit star. The candles were to honor the dead and injured in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Pankiewicz, who has taught for 29 years and 14 days, told the students he can’t go to New York to help, but can make a difference in his own community.
"To honor those who died, those who showed courage and particularly those who are still suffering, it is important for each of us to treat ourselves with respect and to treat others with respect," he said.
"In the face of darkness, I choose light and I choose to spread light," he said, before passing a candle to a student.
In the weeks ahead, the school will embark on fund-raising efforts for the American Red Cross and fallen firefighters.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446
or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.
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