By: Leif Bromme
On April 6, the Collegedale City Commission honored the work of both the Ooltewah High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) members and Southern nursing students who helped with Collegedale’s second annual Storm Safety Day.
During a special segment of the City Commission meeting, senior nursing majors Zachary LeClerc, Macy Chant and Kara Janzen received certificates signed by Mayor Morty Lloyd, although Chant was unable to attend the event. Five members of the JROTC were also honored for their help in setting up the event.
A previous Accent article covering Storm Safety Day, held on Feb. 26, described booths operated by the Collegedale Police Department, the Tri-Community Fire Department, the JROTC and representatives from Southern Adventist University’s nursing program. Attendees learned best practices for performance before, during and after storms as well as how to operate and program weather radios.
According to Janzen, their involvement began with a meeting with City Commissioner Laura Howse.
“We first made sure that we were able to get the knowledge of the event out to the public,” said Janzen. “So we talked about getting in contact with local homes—making sure that they knew, because they’re really at risk for storm safety issues.”
Before the event, the group worked to prepare their booth and create promotional videos for the fire department.
“We also helped advertise the event by distributing flyers in mobile home communities,” said Chant. “The three of us nursing students who planned and advertised for the event were primarily stationed at the nursing club booths where we helped with health screening. We also walked around the event to talk with the community members and booth participants.”
Chant also spearheaded the design of a scavenger hunt to help engage children at the event, many of whom stopped by Storm Safety Day with their parents after school. During the hunt, students searched for letters that spelled out “fire safety” hidden throughout a firetruck on site.
According to Chant, the event was an important clinical opportunity that also connected her more closely to the Collegedale community.
“It was very generous of the city to recognize our involvement,” she said. “The whole experience felt very rewarding.”
LeClerc explained that the collaboration first came about as an idea for a clinical assignment in a Population and Community Health course. Storm Safety Day allowed students an opportunity to claim class credit while also helping in their community.
“It was a fun learning experience getting to engage with the community and learn about how municipalities invest in educating the public,” said LeClerc. “I think the next group of students that participate will enjoy the experience.”
Though students are often involved in community events, those who participate are not always recognized. According to Janzen, acknowledging participation can make students feel more at home and familiar with their local government.
“A lot of people at Southern aren’t necessarily living here in the area,” she said. “So it feels nice to still be recognized as [a community member]. Even if you’re away from home, you can still feel part of the community here in Collegedale.”
Commissioner Howse also emphasized the importance of involvement, regardless of occupation or state of origin.
“Storm Safety Day is about being prepared,” Howse said. “Students will continue to be at the heart of it as volunteers and leaders. With strong community support, we can make it bigger, more engaging and even more effective each year. In the future, I’d like to see us expand access and attendance, adding more demonstrations and resources, making sure everyone feels included.”
As the event grows and student participation increases, more students have the opportunity to be recognized and grow more connected to the city where they live.
“When we take a moment to recognize and honor community service,” said Howse, “we are encouraging more of it. That makes the community stronger and safer.”
