150 first responders named in Wantagh school display

Roughly 150 sheets of paper covered a hallway wall at Wantagh Elementary School on October 28. Each sheet featured the name and photograph of a specific person who works in emergency services or health care. The collection formed a visual record of the local workforce that supports the school community.

The event marked the first year the school observed National First Responders Day. Students submitted entries called "My First Responder" that identified relatives and friends in these fields. The list of roles was wide. It included doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, security guards, and military service members.

Principal Briana James stated the goal was to make the recognition personal. "We know that a lot of family members are first responders and we wanted to honor them and make it personal," James said. She emphasized that the school aimed to salute the specific individuals the students love.

The day began with a message of gratitude during the morning announcements. Students were invited to wear special shirts provided by the school or to dress in red, white, and blue. The display remained outside the cafeteria, placing the honored workers in a hallway that every student traverses daily.

James plans to repeat the event every year. The inaugural celebration set a precedent for future observances. The physical display served as a tangible link between the school and the families who serve in critical public safety and medical roles.