What’s happening: Ramsey High School senior Alyse Lorusso took center stage on Wednesday, December 3rd, captivating the audience at Tisdale School with her impressive Profile Project presentation.
Why it matters: 🚨 Alyse’s project, aptly titled “Sirens and Smiles,” is a unique initiative aimed at fostering positive interactions between children and local first responders. By reducing fear and anxiety, it equips young minds with the confidence to react appropriately in critical situations.
What inspired Alyse:
“I chose Sirens and Smiles because I’ve seen how scared and stressed kids get on pediatric emergency calls. Even when things are under control, you can feel their fear, and it made me realize how important it is for kids to know us long before they ever see us on their worst day. I want to turn some of that fear into comfort. If I can help even one kid feel more prepared or confident enough to smile at a first responder instead of panicking, then this project has done its job. That one moment of comfort can change the way a child reacts to emergencies for the rest of their life.
I also want girls to see that they belong in fire and EMS, even in fields that are still mostly male. If a little girl sees me in gear and realizes she can do this too, then that impact goes beyond the project.” -Alyse Lorusso
Go deeper: Alyse’s project is multifaceted, featuring an educational presentation that covers essential safety protocols, a hands-on demonstration that provides an insider view into the day-to-day responsibilities of first responders, and an interactive Touch-a-Truck event. This activity allows children to explore emergency vehicles firsthand.
What they’re saying: “We were incredibly proud to welcome back one of our former Tisdale students, now a high school volunteer with Ramsey Rescue, as she delivered her Smiles and Sirens presentation to our third graders as part of her Profile of a Graduate culmination project. Her professionalism, insight, and enthusiasm were clearly evident, and our students and staff thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is truly special to see a former student return to her roots to inspire the district's youngest learners." - Gina Aliano, Tisdale Principal
👀 Sneak peek: Delve into Alyse’s engaging presentation here.
