Lydia Macfarlan, a junior at Siloam Springs High School, presented the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program to more than 700 students, teachers, parents, and guests at a Southside Elementary School leadership assembly on March 20.
March 20 was an inclement weather make-up day and principal Dan Siemens decided to hold the assembly to make the day a little more special for students who found themselves in school.
The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program equips students with knowledge about what to do when they see a gun:
• Stop
• Don't touch
• Leave the area
• Tell an adult
Macfarlan first discussed safety, in general, with students before moving to specifically address what to do when a gun is encountered. The students enjoyed the seven-minute Eddie Eagle animated feature and then learned the jingle with hand motions.
Macfarlan was assisted in the presentation by Benton County Sheriff's Deputy Keshia Guyll (who is the BSCO public information deputy), and BCSO detective Tim Srader (who dressed as "Eddie Eagle").
Guyll stressed the importance of gun safety, shared stories with the children, and answered their many questions. The children were delighted with the appearance of "Eddie Eagle" in person to help lead them in the gun safety chant and motions.
"Lydia did a fantastic job equipping our students to know exactly what to do in the event they encounter a firearm" Siemens said. "I had never heard of the Eddie Eagle program, but am glad to have this great resource available to our students. We hope to cycle this through our school every two years. Having Deputy Guyll present gave it a heightened degree of credibility and having Eddie Eagle here made it fun."
One mom who was present commented, "Lydia did an outstanding job. All the kids in the back of my van were chanting the Eddie Eagle jingle on the way home from school."
Begun in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program has reached more than 26 million children in all 50 states. The program was developed through the combined efforts qualified professionals.
Macfarlan was introduced to the Eddie Eagle program while attending the NRA Youth Education Summit in Washington, D.C., last summer.
To bring the Eddie Eagle program to your school or civic group, contact Deputy Guyll at 479-271-1008.
General News on 03/29/2015