Crosswalk now on Crown Point's Main Street

CROWN POINT | More than mere academics were taught recently within the halls of Crown Point Central School as three students rallied together for a common cause and accomplished a major goal. Thanks to the efforts of high school juniors Todd Hanson, Madison Wayman, and Kaitlin Ross, a new crosswalk now stretches in front of the Main Street school, a first. "After school, there is heavy traffic and during sports there are a lot of students who have trouble crossing to get drinks before games, and there are houses along the street where students walk in the morning and after school with the traffic," explained Madison Wayman. "As someone who plays sports and has to walk along the main road to go home some days, the traffic could get overwhelming at times. Especially since I have three younger siblings that I would have to bring home with me at some points, it was scary having them cross an unpredictable road after school." Todd Hanson has lived on Main Street most of his young life and has learned to exercise caution when crossing the road. However, many of his friends and acquaintances haven't quite mastered that skill. "On multiple occasions, I've had to pull my friends back before crossing the road because they don't look both ways and try walking in front of a car," Hanson said. "The crosswalk being installed is really helpful for everyone using the road because it reminds both pedestrians and drivers to be mindful of what they're doing." Wayman plays sports year-round and is a regular crosser. It became a running joke in her circle of friends imagining getting hit by a car based on the speed of traffic, but the joke soon lost any humor. The students realized it was a very good possibility a tragedy could happen, and that epiphany didn't set well with Wayman. She understood drivers don't necessarily pay attention to pedestrians crossing Main Street- even in a school zone. The then-high school freshman took it upon herself to personally start a petition, gathering signatures of parents and students who too shared her belief a crosswalk was necessary and would be extremely beneficial. She presented the issue to the town board, some having children and grandchildren who played sports, too. "I believe it may have been something important for them to hear as well," she said. Hanson and Kaitlin Ross joined the cause, supporting Wayman at that first town board meeting and other subsequent public engagements. Public speaking is intimidating and nerve-wracking at just about any age, but most especially as a young adult, the three bravely stepped up to the plate and let their feelings be heard. And not only were they heard, they were supported. "We attended one board meeting to present the papers and signatures to the board as well as a couple meetings in the school with the town supervisor and the state department of transportation, the Crown Point Highway department as well as some staff present," Wayman recalled. I had a paper that me and one of my teachers, Mrs. Gaddor, had typed during the school day that summarized my thoughts and feelings about why the crosswalk was so important to put in." Spanish Teacher and National Honor Society Advisor, Alana Gaddor, assisted in organizing the initiative after Wayman approached her for guidance and how to take action on her concern. "I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say we are very proud of Madison, Todd, and Kaitlin," she said. The crosswalk was installed this past summer, ready to greet students and all the fall athletes, its presence offering security, comfort and peace of mind to the youngest community members. "I'm someone who is big on helping people so now that the crosswalk is in, there's a certain weight I feel off my shoulders because even though not everyone might use it it still feels good being able to help some people in that way," Wayman said. It was hard work, determination, and seeing a dream through that has left the most indelible impression on the students. The direct relationship between effort and positive outcomes was not lost on the three, nor was the need for support from others to slay a Herculean task. And slay they did. "This experience has taught me and my fellow classmates a lesson about initiative and how to turn dreams into real life," noted Ross. "We had been hoping we would get a crosswalk in Crown Point for a long time but we really stepped up and kept pushing for it to happen and finally our hard work paid off." Assemblyman Matt Simpson even dropped in to see the new crosswalk and meet the masterminds behind its inception. He even spoke to Ross, who aspires to work with the Army National Guard and go into nursing, sharing his own experiences with family members in the Army. "This entire effort makes me think of our esteemed former head of transportation, Tom Fish, who suddenly passed away a few years ago," recalled Gaddor. "He is fondly remembered as always saying "We'll make it happen." I think that Tom's words sum up the spirit of the Crown Point community and these three students - it was something that needed to be done and they made it happen."

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Crosswalk now on Crown Point's Main Street

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