AUGUSTA – Four eighth-grade students from Machias Valley Christian School were surprised to see that not many teachers get training in recognizing signs of child abuse.

After researching the issue, Garrett Hopkins, Courtney Radeka, Robin Lithgow and Elizabeth Hull came up with a proposal to have all teachers trained in the issue prior to certification.

Thursday they brought their proposal to the State House in the form of a thick binder and four-fold presentation board called: “Evil from evil: Child abuse and neglect.”

“It’s a pretty good solution,” Hopkins said. “People agree with us.”

Hopkins said the group spent six “long, hard, tedious” weeks on the project.

The KIDS Consortium, based in Lewiston, hosted the 2007 We the People: Project Citizen Maine showcase at the State House Thursday. Students from six schools presented their projects to a panel of state lawmakers, who selected the Machias school as the winner. The group was later recognized by House Speaker Rep. Glenn Cummings, D-Portland.

The project is a federally funded program for middle-schoolers to encourage youth participation in local government. The Machias’ project will be sent to a national showcase.

Other projects looked at sun safety, carbon monoxide poisoning, health problems resulting from heavy school bags and childhood obesity.

Fran Rudoff, director of the KIDS Consortium, said that many students continue with the issues after they complete their projects.

The Machias students have contacted their representative, Harold Emery, R-Cutler, who may draft legislation on the issue, said their teacher, Tracy Henderson.

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