FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Two Oklahoma teachers who used their bodies to shield kindergarteners when their school took a direct hit from a tornado are being honored at the IndyCar race in Texas.
Jennifer Simonds and Anna “Sam” Canady are both from Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla., which was hit by a tornado May 20.
The teachers were at Texas Motor Speedway to give the command for drivers to start their engines before Saturday night’s race.
Simonds, who had never seen or watched a race before, said they don’t see themselves as heroes, and have been overwhelmed by the response from around the world.
The honorary starter is CJ Gillaspie, captain of the West Volunteer Fire Department, which lost five members in a fertilizer plant explosion in the small town April 17.
