Hi all. I found this article and wanted to share it. Being about 3 hours away from San Antonio, it goes straight to my heart.

Kids Rally To Get School Named After Steve Irwin

Julie Farby - All Headline News Staff Writer

San Antonio, TX (AHN)-Whoever said that kids were too young to make a difference obviously never met the children from New Braunfels, Texas.

When residents were asked to come up with a name for the new elementary school planned for New Braunfels, an area in central Texas near San Antonio, the response from local children was overwhelming. Their suggestion? To name the school Steve Irwin Elementary, in honor of the environmental activist and adventurer who died from a stingray injury while diving in the Great Barrier Reef on September 4.

Although, the school board ultimately opted for the more traditional name of Morningside Elementary School, the vigorous campaign by local kids to honor the late Australian "croc hunter," did not go unnoticed.

In fact, the children-led campaign supporting a Steve Irwin Elementary School was so overwhelming that it made a short list of three potential names, prompting board member Charles Burt, who made the final decision to tell the The San Antonio-Express News, "We had to take it seriously."

Although kids as young as five came to the publicly open board meeting to speak on behalf on naming the school for their favorite conservationist, the board was concerned that Irwin did not have enough local ties to justify naming a school after him.

"I hope it isn't taken as a sleight against Mr. Irwin, but we just weren't sure about naming the school after him," Burt said.

Despite the board's ultimate decision, the fact that Irwin's name received serious consideration should make kids-both in Texas and beyond- feel proud, and confident that no matter how young they are, they can still have their voices heard.
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I think the board should have adopted the name. They said they felt Steve didn't have enough roots in the area to name the school after him. Well, I totally disagree. Steve's roots encompass the entire world. He was a global wildlife warrior. His fight was one for all of humanity, from San Antonio to London to Singapore to Beerwah.

I am proud, however, of those kids! What a bunch of little beauties!

That's really sweet of them.

Aww how sweet.

Sweet indeed! I don't live anywhere near Texas, but yet I feel proud and happy for those little tykes.

Dang! This is wicked!

Sure wish the deal went down. KIDS RULE!

Well, maybe we can help them by doing petions both online, around our school, & from family, & friends, no matter how far they live. I totally agree with those kids. If I lived around that area, there would be a pretty good chance that I would be there campaigning, & talking to the school board. Because the school board asked the kids for their opinions. If they don't like the kids answers, then they shouldn't have asked the kids in the first place. Who cares if the board memebers didn't know that the kids were going to suggest that their school be named after Steve Irwin. From what I know about things like this, the school board is just hiding behind the excuse of Steve didn't have enough local ties to name a school after him, for whatever their reason maybe. If enough people know about Steve, that should be consitered enough of a local tie. If any of the kids that were out there petioning I say, to keep going, & not to give up until you get what you want. No matter what it takes. If you believe in something strongly enough, it can be done. So don't give up.