News Photo by Julie Goldberg Left to right, Alpena High School seniors Ben Dault, Nate Cosbitt, Lee Babcock and Lars MacArthur recognized Officer Tim Marquardt, center, by showing their appreciation for him with handwritten notes from AHS students.

ALPENA — A few Alpena High School students led an initiative of letting AHS students write notes to honor Officer Tim Marquardt for the work he does at the school.

Seniors Ben Dault, Nate Cosbitt, Lee Babcock and Lars MacArthur approached Principal Thomas Berriman last week asking to set up a table in the commons area to let students write notes. They also did a PA announcement to let students know they had the opportunity to write a thank you note to Marquardt during lunch that day.

Marquardt, who has been the school’s liaison officer since 2011, received 61 handwritten notes and was shocked when he received them.

“It made my day and made my week,” he said. “When they came in with the notes, it was a total surprise. It was early in the morning and I was doing my daily log and they just popped in and put these on my desk. It was kind of neat.”

Babcock said they wanted to do something to thank Marquardt for everything he does for the school and students.

“We know in the event of a tragic event, he would be the first one to step up and help us,” Babcock said.

Marquardt said he has taken the time to read the notes and said the notes are sincere, serious, and thankful.

“That is big for our job,” he said.

MacArthur said they weren’t looking for recognition when thinking of the idea to write the notes to Marquardt, they just wanted to recognize Marquardt for the job he does.

“We knew what stresses he lived with and we knew how important his job is and we wanted to thank him for that,” MacArthur said.

Marquardt said he knows the students weren’t looking for recognition, but he wanted them to be recognized because of the stereotype that high school students and teens get.

“I want to show this community that you got some really good kids up here, the leaders, and this is what I want when I get old and gray, I want people stepping up and trying to help out,” Marquardt said. “They need to be acknowledged for it.”

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.