Crosswalk at Penn. Ave & Broad? 7th Graders Influence City

By ANNETTE HENNESSEY
Falls Church Times Staff

Eight 7th grade students from Rory Dippold’s class at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School will represent Virginia at the Project Citizen National Showcase in Philadelphia, PA on July 21 – 24th. Project Citizen is a federally funded program that encourages students to research a public policy they believe should be revised or created. It also teaches young people how to monitor and influence public policy.

The class’s project titled “Walking Our Way to Safety” identified the need for a crosswalk to be located on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Broad Street. Students conducted research to determine the scope of the problem by researching pedestrian accidents in the city and by counting jaywalkers at the intersection on a Saturday in March. They identified alternative policies and examined the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and determined that a crosswalk would be the best solution. They presented their research to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation in April, spoke to a Planning Commission member, and created a website as ways to mobilize and inform people about their project. Government officials have said they will look into a possible crosswalk at that intersection.

So not only were the students successful in the regional and state competitions, they learned firsthand how to voice concerns in their local community by conducting research and contacting appropriate government officials.

Special thanks to Rory Dippold for the photos and information for the story.