Artworks of crayon, marker, colored pencil and collages flapped patriotically in the wind, filling the Faner breezeway Wednesday.

One sign read, in thick, sloppy crayon, “Please don’t start World War III. Thousands could die.”

The artworks, all finding their home on red, white and blue paper, were done by area grade school students. Students from Winkler Elementary School, Carbondale Middle School, Du Quoin Middle School and De Soto Grade School all participate in a tutoring program by SIUC Land of Lincoln Americorps.

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The SIUC Americorps is made up of 10 SIUC students who work to tutor grade school students 20 hours a week. The students they tutor all receive general help with their schoolwork, as well as mentoring from the Americorps.

Another sign revealed a crude drawing of the Twin Towers seconds before planes flew into their bellies.

“We will stand together – United as one forever,” was written in pencil to accompany the drawing.

The 10 students woke up at 7 a.m. to display their works of art. Student Development and SIUC Land of Lincoln Americorps Coordinator Mythili Rundblad said that at a brainstorming session, the 10 members decided to ask the children to express their feelings about Sept. 11.

“We thought it would be nice to see what the children are thinking,” Rundblad said.

Reporter Arin Thompson can be reached at [email protected]