9-11 Caring Carolina

White Knoll Middle School

Making All Of SC Proud

            White Knoll Middle School, a school in Lexington, SC, raised over $520,000.  They gave it to New York City to get a new fire truck to replace one that was crushed during the attacks of September 11^th.

            It all started in 1867….a promise.  In the Civil War, the Union bought Columbia a hose carriage that carried hoses to fires.  The Midlands promised to help them whenever they were in need.  And so, the students at White Knoll Middle School kept that promise by buying them a new fire truck. 

            After September 11^th, White Knoll Middle School started selling buttons at the South Carolina State Fair.  By selling stuff like that and doing fundraisers, White Knoll raised and donated more than $520,000 to New York City and it all started with a promise.  Because of their generosity, four White Knoll students got to go to New York City and be in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  White Knoll principal, Nancy Turner, said she had a very hard time choosing because they all did a wonderful job, but she did choose four students and they were: Staci Smith, Leigh Tyson, Maurice Hallman, and Thomas Dunn.  Principal Turner said, “They were picked based on the fact that they participated in the project.  They seemed to be at ease speaking publicly.  These were four that seemed to be positive, vocal representatives of our school.”  The four were more than thrilled to be picked to go.  Staci Smith said, “I’m going to take a big stack of papers to get everybody’s autograph."  The other people that went on the trip was Principal Nancy Turner, her husband named Sam, White Knoll teacher Janice Chubbuck, Columbia Fire Chief John Jansen, and Irmo Fire Chief Mike Sonefeld.  When they got there, everyone was so excited about the parade the next day.  Once everyone woke up the next morning, it was time for the parade.  New York Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, rode with the kids.  Thomas Dunn said, “It’s unreal…………”  All had a wonderful time and one of the students heard someone from the crowd say, “Thank you for the truck, kids,” giving them a sense that New York was very grateful to South Carolina.

            If that experience wasn’t enough, four New York firefighters came to White Knoll Middle School on December 5, 2001.  They had a one-hour assembly with a band and music.  Children of White Knoll say they saw a few teary-eyed firefighters there.  Lexington Mayor Dan Breazeale also presented a key to the city of Lexington to the firemen.  Then on December 6, 2001, the firefighters went to individual classrooms to visit. 

            Kids say that was an experience of a lifetime!  The truck will be dedicated to White Knoll Middle School and the Precinct #343 Red Hook firefighters that died.  A special plaque will be put on the truck in honor of White Knoll Middle School.  New York firefighter, Capt. Tom Calkins said, “To see all these children here is really overwhelming.  The heart of America lives right here in Columbia, South Carolina.”