IT’S BACK TO CLASS FOR THE D-A!

 DAY AT STONEWALL TELL ELEMENTARY, “ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE!”

           District Attorney Paul Howard’s recent visit to Stonewall Tell Elementary School in College Park, Georgia was “one of the few occasions I can look back upon without hesitation and say was one of the best days of my life!”  Mr. Howard and Senior Assistant District Attorney Laura Janssen were the special guests of honor at Stonewall Tell Elementary’s Awards Day Ceremony.  It was a celebration of the achievements of 4th and 5th grade students over the fall semester.  Students in the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program invited Mr. Howard and Ms. Janssen after learning from Art teacher Melanie Levine about a widely publicized Fulton County animal cruelty case.  The case of two brothers charged with the brutally torturing a puppy then cooking her to death in an oven so disturbed the students, they decided to join the District Attorney’s campaign to strengthen animal cruelty laws. 

             Mr. Howard and Ms. Janssen had no idea of the tremendous reception they would receive.  Following their remarks to the student body, the two enjoyed a cookies and punch reception hosted by the 4th and 5th grade TAG students, TAG teacher Ms. Jill Miller, and Art instructor, Ms. Melanie Levine.  Fourth grade “poet laureate” Anderia Beavers presented the poem she had written for the occasion.  It is entitled, “The Great Paul Howard and Laura Janssen.”  It reads in part, “…without you, we are like a dead sea getting saltier and saltier, but you Mr. Howard and Ms. Janssen make it like a wonderful sea, you can even help puppies.” 
 
            So impressed was District Attorney Howard with the students’ interest in the puppy case, he invited them to help lobby the legislature and the Governor to toughen laws for animal torture.  “Young people will make a difference,” he said, “not just elected officials.”  Stonewall Tell students will get the opportunity to make their case at the state Capitol Building soon.  Mr. Howard has arranged for them to present their letters directly to Governor Sonny Perdue.  And he has hung Ms. Beavers’ poem in a place of honor just outside his office door.