Remembering September 11

Where were you on September 11, 2001? Upper School students Tabitha Bell and Ty Cramer asked faculty to recall where they were and what they were doing when planes hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center at 8:45 a.m. in New York City. Although the events of September 11 are vividly remembered by our faculty and millions of Americans, current Waterford students have no memory of the day; our oldest students were one year of age when the attacks occurred.

It is challenging to communicate the historical and political significance of September 11 to students who were born in the post-9/11 era. Rather than focus on the ways the U.S. has changed in the past 16 years, Tabitha and Ty decided to frame the discussion around human compassion. The events of September 11 brought Americans together. As math teacher Mrs. Orton noted, "It was the first time I remember in a long time, probably since the World Wars, that the whole country seemed to come together." 

So, asked Tabitha and Ty, "How do we stay unified without disaster or tragedy?"

This question has been espeically poignant for Tabitha and Ty in light of the current political environment in the United States. Tabitha and Ty recently formed a political club called the Raven PAC (Political Action Club) to faciliate conversations between people on opposite sides of the aisle. 

"Ty Cramer and I formed this club after the recent election because we noticed there was a lot of strife. We know if there is conversation both sides could see their similar viewpoints. The Raven PAC is a political action club that wants to explore how the U.S. political system functions. We strive to develop young citizens who will participate in the electoral process, local government, and community service," said Tabitha Bell.

Their video, while acknowledging the tragic events of September 11, also serves to remind us of how we came together as a nation in the face of adversity.