In a small "studio" just off the Northwoods Elementary School media center, two anchors rehearsed questions, a student held a poster board prompter, and a "mixer" stood by while the cameraman and computer tech waited for their signals.

It was just another morning at the Koalaty News Network (KNN), except Tony Jordan, Cary assistant fire chief, was sitting in the hot seat, ready to be interviewed.

As the fifth-graders posed questions they were also modeling behavior for a school full of students who participated in the annual Heroes Day on Thursday. Scheduled around Veterans Day each year, Northwoods welcomed veterans, active duty military, firefighters, police officers and EMS staff.

Jordan said he thought programs like KNN helped students succeed.

"My son is 20 years old now, and I know that as kids grow up, there is a lot of 'background noise,'" he said. "It takes a lot of courage for students to stay focused."

The 28 fifth-graders who produce the KNN daily morning announcements, also learn technical skills, such as how to mix and record the news and use Flip cameras.

Counselor Beverly Mitchell started Heroes Day at Northwoods six years ago, and oral interpreter Barbara VanDyke helped Mitchell establish the KNN news crew.

"But what we hope they learn the most are skills like leadership, speaking publicly and responsibility," said VanDyke. "We want the students to be proactive. They come up with great ideas, and we try to incorporate all of them."

After watching a few days of the KNN news team interviewing local heroes, students in all grade levels were ready to fire their questions at Cary Police K9 Officer Scott McInerny as he introduced Tayber, a 2 1/2-year-old police dog.

"How do you make him do stuff?" (Commands in German and English or sign language.)

"Does he have rabies?" (No.)

"How often do you train?" (Every day.)

Sometimes the questions that students have on their minds aren't the same as adults might ask. But Mitchell hopes modeling appropriate questions, coaching on the give-and-take of conversation and giving students access to local heroes will hone students' skills for success in life.

Not far away from McInerny and Tayber, the 1,800-pound Ike and 1,400-pound Major stood with Raleigh Police Officers Randy Byrd and Matt Slocum.

Slocum told students about being a mounted police officer and explained what the horses need to do their jobs. "Nike doesn't make horse shoes," he said.

A student asked if the horses get scared. "Sometimes, but we train them so they don't," said Slocum.

Mitchell said that between 35 and 40 heroes visited Northwoods.

"I hope students gain confidence and learn skills about how to speak publicly," she said.