Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509110054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Main Street business people stood on office doorsteps to watch the spectacle. Town police had to be called to control the sign-carrying, chanting mob.
"C'mon, louder!" urged Police Chief Ron Lemons as the string of marchers passed by. "Let's hear it: C-E-S, We're-the-best!"
No, it wasn't a union strike or a protest. What stopped all business for a few moments on a crisp September morning was 400 little people from Christiansburg Elementary School.
The pupils paraded down sidewalks from their school on Betty Drive to the businesses on Main Street. Principal Janice Roback walked with them, waving to the familiar faces of parents and workers who stopped to cheer at the passing parade.
Roback said she got the idea from a New York City principal, and thought it was a great way to excite the kids - and the community - for another school year.
April DeHart and her co-workers at the Henry Whitehurst law offices took a break from their duties to clap for the energetic procession.
"I think it's great," DeHart said. "All these people out here cheering for them - it makes them feel important."
Pupils carried colorful signs and posters with slogans like, "School is Cool" and "Math is for Me." Some of the children weren't quite sure what they did to merit such attention ("My teacher just said to make a sign about why I like school," said one third grader). But Mitchell Crawford understood.
"We just want people to know we're the best school around," the fourth-grader said matter-of-fact as he pounded on a drum.
Librarian Lynn Thye took up the rear of the parade, scooting children past the long line of stopped cars on Franklin Street. Most people didn't seem to mind the traffic delay as they waved their arms out open windows or tooted a car horn.
"I have a feeling," Thye said, "that this is going to become a tradition."
by CNB