ODA Remembers 9/11

Upper School students and faculty came together in the Petrik Thunderdome for a video presentation on some unsung heroes during the tragedy, introduced by Dr. Ellen Zitani, Ms. Michele Timothy, and Mrs. Erin Harding. Each gave an introduction of each video segment, which included a reunion of two NYC survivors, the important role of the rescue dogs that worked at Ground Zero, and a small Canadian community that took in travelers when the U.S. air space was closed due to the attacks.

As the Middle School gathered for their commemorative assembly, they noted the memorial chain made by students in 2002 which was laid around the Thunderdome honoring all 2,977 individuals who lost their lives in the attacks, Ms. Young introduced Advanced Ensemble musicians Arthur Wang ‘21 and Olivia Leichter, who played “Ashoken Farewell” by Jay Ungar in remembrance. The student body watched a slideshow with images from the attacks and learned about first responders and Port Authority members who heroically responded to the attacks.

Carson Moxcey ‘26, Naomi Jones ‘24, and Charley Hunn ‘25 all shared their work from their 6th, 7th, and 8th grade history classes, which looked at life in America before the attacks, the story of a heroic first responder who lost his life, as well as life after the tragic event. Mr. Mahn, Mr. Brelsford, Mrs. Rivers, and Mrs. Bianchi shared personal experiences from the tragic day 18 years ago, and what honoring 9/11 means to them now.