Dublin Christian Academy students salute first-responders

Ava Dentesano, left, and Baylor Lehtonen add their artwork to thank you banners for first-responders in the region.

Ava Dentesano, left, and Baylor Lehtonen add their artwork to thank you banners for first-responders in the region. —COURTESY PHOTO

DCA freshmen and sophomores helped pack 150 gift bags for state and local police, fire, and EMT first-responders in the Mondanock region.

DCA freshmen and sophomores helped pack 150 gift bags for state and local police, fire, and EMT first-responders in the Mondanock region. —COURTESY PHOTO

LEFT: Aubrey Letourneau, left, and Iris Wornor add their artwork to student-created thank you banners for first-responders in the region.RIGHT: DCA freshmen and sophomores helped pack 150 gift bags for state and local police, fire, and EMT first-responders in the Monadnock region.

LEFT: Aubrey Letourneau, left, and Iris Wornor add their artwork to student-created thank you banners for first-responders in the region.RIGHT: DCA freshmen and sophomores helped pack 150 gift bags for state and local police, fire, and EMT first-responders in the Monadnock region. COURTESY PHOTOS

DCA juniors and seniors made gift drops to first-responders in Jaffrey, Rindge, Peterborough, New Ipswich and Keene, including the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance.

DCA juniors and seniors made gift drops to first-responders in Jaffrey, Rindge, Peterborough, New Ipswich and Keene, including the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance. COURTESY PHOTO

DCA juniors and seniors made gift drops to first-responders in Jaffrey, Rindge, Peterborough, New Ipswich and Keene, including the New Ipswich Police Department.

DCA juniors and seniors made gift drops to first-responders in Jaffrey, Rindge, Peterborough, New Ipswich and Keene, including the New Ipswich Police Department. —COURTESY PHOTO

Published: 04-25-2024 8:01 AM

On April 10, Dublin Christian Academy dedicated the entire day to recognizing and serving state and local first-responders.

Children in preschool through 12th grade created thank you banners and put together 150 gift bags for first-responders in Dublin and several other communities that DCA students call home. including Jaffrey, Rindge, Peterborough, New Ipswich, and Keene.

Beginning with an all-school assembly with Dublin Police Chief Timothy Suokko, Dublin Fire Chief Tom Vanderbilt and three other department volunteers, the day focused on serving others. Pointing to Jesus as the ultimate example of service and sacrifice, administrators challenged students to put feet to their faith through a life of service.

Students learned about how first-responders sacrifice to meet the needs of their communities. After doughnuts and coffee, the students got a close-up look at a police cruiser and rescue vehicle, then sent off the chiefs with gifts for their departments.

Following the morning activities, students got to work making art and putting together gifts to express their gratitude for how first-responders serve their school, families and communities. Every student from preschool to grade 12 played a part in the project. Children in preschool through 10th grade adorned nine thank you banners with their names and artwork and put together 150 gift bags, each filled with some practical items, snacks and treats, tied up with a note of thanks from the school.

Three groups of DCA juniors and seniors spent the afternoon traveling around to deliver the banners and gifts. The students made gift drops to New Hampshire State Police Troop C in Keene, Jaffrey Police, Jaffrey Fire, Jaffrey EMT, Rindge Police, Peterborough Fire, New Ipswich Police and Souhegan Valley Ambulance.