Porterville students honor, learn on 9/11
It is hard for younger generations to remember or even fully comprehend the tragedy and the significance of what transpired in America on September 11, 2001, but teachers and staff across Porterville made sure their students learned and remembered the event through observances Tuesday.
Ceremonies across the United States happened yesterday commemorating the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Porterville Military Academy held their first ever ceremony honoring the Tuesday afternoon.
PMA cadets gathered at their multi-purpose room to remember all who lost their lives on 9/11.
The Associated Student Body and Battalion Staff organized the event, cadet Ashley Santizo start-
ed off with a power point presentation displaying pictures of the terrorist attacks, and the destruction that happened that day. A video was also shown to the students describing the coverage of television stations, and the second plane attacking the towers.
“It is important for us to commemorate 9/11 because it affected a lot of people, including myself and family,” said cadet Santizo. “It's important for us to keep the memory of the attack, and remember our veterans and people who served for us.”
Santizo told students it was important for PMA to honor that tradition as a military academy, since a lot of Veterans and firefighters died during that day.
PMA staff also shared their memories with
the cadets of where they were when the attacks happened and the impact 9/11 has had on their lives.
Captain Dave Archer, Sergeant Major Shawn Alvarado, Sergeant Daniel Degeorge, Sergeant Zak Lara and Sergeant Rodrigo Leanos all shared a bit of their experiences during those tough times for the United States.
“I do not have a single memory from Sept. 10, 2001, but what I woke up to the next day on Sept. 11, 2001 changed my life,” shared Sergeant Degeorge, recalling how he woke up to the image on television showing the second plane hitting the tower. “I did not know how much 9/11 was going to change my life. I found myself in a couple of months joining the army, and in 2003 looking for suspected terrorists. In 2007, I was in active combat operations in Iraq.”
Degeorge also discussed
other facets of 9/11, like the way war was fought, the global economy, the political stage and how many still have a connection to that day.
Sergeant Lara remembered being in the fifth grade when the attack happened, and shared how that day shaped his life and led him to where he is today. He also talked about his emotional visit to the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan.
“I still remember 9/11 as if it had happened yesterday,” said Sergeant Rodrigo Leanos as he shared his vivid memory of the 9/11 attacks. “It was a very traumatic experience, and one of those memories I will take with me forever.”
Leanos recalled reading history books about
Pearl Harbor, but never imagined himself going through a terrorist attack.
PMA Principal Doug Ihmels took in the assembly, watching as the young cadets learned about 9/11 as staff shared their stories with them.
“The thing that truck me is the amount of great leaders that rose up during that crisis,” said Ihmels. “We are hoping that these kids are the next leaders. After the 9/11 attacks our country came together, and we now keep our guard up. I think that message is as important for today as it has always been.”
This was the first 9/11 ceremony that PMA held and the school is planning to continue the tradition for the rest of its existence, said Ihmels.
Burton School District's Summit Charter Academy Lombardi commemorated 9/11 with the participation of all students and a variety of classroom activities to learn, honor and remember the day.
All Lombardi students gathered for a school photograph dressed in red, white and blue attire to create an American flag, which was photographed from aerial perspective.
Students from grades K-1 wore red t-shirts, grades 2-3 wore white t-shirts and grades 4-5 wore blue colored tshirts representing the flag's colors.
“We remembered and focused on American freedom, our unity and the freedom experienced,” mentioned Staci
Fleischman, Lombardi Academy School principal. “These kiddos don't really know anything about that day, except what they know of the things their elders share with them.”
During the morning announcements, students remembered those who lost their lives with a moment of silence following the school picture. Students then enjoyed a whole day of different activities in classrooms to learn and remember those who lost their lives.
“We teach students what 9/11 means to America,” said Fleichman. “An we also remind our students of the importance of the American spirit and freedom as opposed to the tragedy.”