With only 116 students–73 males and 26 females– born before Sept. 11 , there are almost no students on campus who were alive during the attacks in 2001.  But ask any faculty member, and they can tell you exactly where they were when they first heard the news. This changes how the subject is approached in class. Despite not having a requirement in the curriculum, many teachers feel the need to discuss this event. For faculty it is a matter of remembering and healing, but for students it is just another date in the history books – a tragedy they can tear up over and move on from.

“I had some friends who were living in New York at the time. My family is in New York , so for me it was more a matter of worrying about their safety,” said AP english teacher Mara Schultz, while tearing up.

Language Arts teachers are often the ones leading the group when it comes to in class lessons regarding Sept. 11. Many will allot class time to share their stories and give students a space to be emotional over something they may never understand. 

Schultz admitted, “It’s more a matter of reminding them that it actually happened.” 

An AP World History teacher, John Prothro said, “My freshmen weren’t alive when it happened, so that’s why we watch videos, we talk about it, because we can’t ever forget,” History teachers are often the ones who take it upon themselves to make major events comprehensible. Sept. 11 is no less important than any other monumental moment. They too see the importance in making sure this day is not forgotten. 

“Those thousand flags were meant to represent the victims,their families, first responders,” Myers said. “Next year we want to have 2,977 flags to represent each victim individually.”

On Wednesday morning, more than three thousand students and staff arrived on campus ready for another mundane block day. Some were shifting through their playlists, some were sipping on their Dutch Bros., and some were finishing last night’s homework as various members of the crowd stopped in their tracks just outside of the gym.

Planted in the lawn on the northeast side of the gym were over one thousand small flags and a handful of signs that read “9-11 Never Forget Project.”

“The 9/11 project is actually a way to help students connect with it emotionally,” said Jason Myers, the adviser of the Teenage Republicans club. 

Sarah Sachs said,“I just thought that it was cool that someone did all those flags and that they’re remembering the day.”