Bradford Intermediate Launches Jason Dahl “Heartland Hero Essay”
In 2011, the Jason Dahl Memorial, situated at the Denver’s Ken-Caryl Manor Ridge Neighborhood entrance, was vandalized by young residents unaware of its significance, and even who Jason Dahl was. Captain of United Flight 93, and a 9/11 Hero, Jason called the Ken-Caryl area home and loved being a member of the community. The residents of Manor Ridge also loved Jason and quickly sprang into action. The Manor Ridge homeowners-association raised money and repaired the beautiful bronze eagle that serves as a testament to Jason Dahl’s heroism.
Learning of the vandalism, the Manor Ridge HOA also immediately notified Tom Bush, a Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund Board member, neighbor, and friend of Jason, to inform him of the incident. Tom contacted Jason’s widow, Sandy Dahl, and they decided it was time to act. They arranged a meeting with the nearby Bradford Intermediate School Principal, Sam Palamara, and together they thought out a plan to turn something bad into good. Tom and Sandy wanted to inform the students at the school the importance of Patriots Day, and that a real 9/11 Hero once lived in their own community. Sam realized that the students under his supervision were no more than two years old that day in 2001, when Jason Dahl and others stood up for their country. As principal, the Dahl Memorial vandalism incident presented him a teaching moment. Sam, Sandy, and Tom would turn something bad into good.
September 11 is Patriots Day and Sandy Dahl thought it would be good to honor the many heroes across America. Sandy shared with Sam that her husband Jason won a college scholarship based on merit and with an essay expressing the reason he wanted to fly. Her thought was to somehow educate the young people of today about the hero who lived in their midst. Sandy was certain Jason Dahl’s story would be a tremendous inspiration. With that, Sam Palamara met with the teachers and the student council of Bradford Intermediate to decide on a course of action. From this collaboration, The Heartland Hero Essay Project was born.
The essay program is a contest that asks; “Do you have someone in YOUR life who is a HERO? Maybe that person has saved a life, or maybe he or she is a hero because of the life they lead, orthe example they set for you EVERY DAY. Tell us about someone you know who, through an act of kindness, courage, or unselfishness, has made a positive impact on your life.”
The essay contest is limited to students in grade 5 and they are invited to write about their own “Heartland Hero”. A selection committee chooses three winners, and each receives a certificate provided by the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund. The Dahl Fund also reached out to the community and secured sponsors for the program. Locally, the Texas Roadhouse, Chick fil A, and The Colorado Credit Union stepped up to offer support and prizes for the essay writers. The Certificates and sponsor prizes are presented to the winning essay writers at assemblies held at each participating school, annually. Essay Award winners, along with their parents/guardian and their heroes, attend the awards ceremony.
Sam Palamara retired as Bradford Intermediate Principal and became a Board member of the Dahl Scholarship Fund. Sam had a vision. Sam plans to have a Jefferson County-wide Heartland Hero Essay program. Since that beginning in 2011, many others hearing of the program are offering support and asking how they can contribute.
Quick Facts
September 2011
– Heartland Hero initiated at Bradford K-8 North (Jason’s neighborhood)
September 2011- 2024
– Up to sixteen elementary schools in the Littleton, Colorado area, where Jason Dahl lived, participate regularly in the Heartland Hero Program.
– Approximately 13,000 fifth grade students have written Heartland Hero Essays in the past thirteen years.
– Heartland Hero essays have been enthusiastically embraced by classroom teachers as a beneficial writing endeavor. Several schools have even included it into their curriculum.
– Certificate awards along with sponsor gifts are presented to winners and all students writing essays during an award ceremony with Dahl Scholarship Board members and supporters.
Ken-Caryl’s hero, Jason Dahl, if he is watching, must be proud.
