In recogniton of September 11th, students, faculty and staff assembled to spend a moment reflecting and acknowledging the one year anniversary. Lower School students entwined red, white and blue ribbons in chain link creating an American Flag on a fence. Upper and Middle School students assembled to observe a moment of silence at 8:46, the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center. President of the School, Jill Lambert and President of Middle School, Ann Culp shared their reflections for a Middle and Upper School assembly in recognition of Sept. 11th. Middle School Handbell Choir performed "Make me an instrument of Thy Peace", and Madrigals & Madriguys performed the following selections, "God Bless America"  and Brother James' Air - Psalm 23. Printed below is an article from the Beacon's September issue written by Lauren Klos '03, Features writer, and a reprint of the speech made by Ann Culp.

One Year Later
By Lauren Klos '03

September 11, 2001. We will never forget the day that changed not only our lives but the lives of all Americans and the course of history. The events of that fateful day will remain with us throughout time and haunt us in year to come. It was the day our nation was attacked, the day we were caught unawares, the day the people of this country united as one to support our fellow countryman.

It was a day unlike any other. The students of the Shipley School arrived at school and headed off to class. For me, I was leaving my first period class when I heard someone shout the news in the hall: “One of the twin towers has been hit by a plane!” I brushed off the comment as I thought it was only a joke. I arrived at my second period class, only to hear the same news. I wouldn’t believe what I heard; I couldn’t. As there was a test that day in class, we were not allowed to leave the room to see if our fears were confirmed. My teacher reported that it was true-a plane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers in New York, followed minutes later by a second plane. I was shocked and horrified that this could be happening. This was the United States, the greatest country in the world; things like this weren’t supposed to happen.

We were ushered into the theater into an impromptu meeting where we were told what had occurred: four planes in all had been used to launch terrorist attacks against the United States. Two had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the first at approximately 8:45 am and the other 18 minutes later. Another plane had crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and yet another had landed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh, where crew members and passengers had heroically attempted to take down the terrorists before reaching a large city, perhaps Washington.

The events of that day shocked the nation as we watched the images of the two burning towers fill the sky with smoke and eventually crumbling to the ground, killing thousands of people who had worked there. We looked on as people leapt from windows in an attempt to save themselves and we heard the frantic, last-minute phone calls made by those trapped inside the towers, as well as on the plane. It is these images that will forever plague our memories and flash before our eyes.

We didn’t know what could be done other than pray for the lives of those lost and their surviving families. The outreach and support from people universally was unbelievable; people flocked to blood banks, money was sent to help support the surviving families, charities were put in place for the heroes of that day, the police, EMS and fire personnel of New York. Food was sent to feed those in need. But most of all, we all stood together and united in a national strength never before seen. We were no longer naïve to the dangers of the world; we stood steadfast, united in sorrow.

Since that tragic event, lives have been changed and altered forever. Many employees of hospitality resources have lost their jobs due to lack of travel. Countless travelers fear flying again, aware of another possible such occurrence. Those who do chose to fly wait in long lines, arriving up to 3 hours ahead of departure time to allow for security checks. Security in many public places, including airports and national attractions has been heightened and while inconveniencing some, many are more than willing to oblige to ensure their safety and others’. There is an overall sense of paranoia that lingers in the country and may forever remain.

It is now a year later yet we remember it as though it were yesterday. Flags waive from windows and candles are lit in remembrance of all those lost. We will gather together as one body at school at 8:45 am on September 11^th in remembrance of what took place one year ago, to gather our thoughts and minds in hopes of a better tomorrow. A year later and we have not forgotten; we are still reaching out to those in need and keeping in our hearts and minds those who sacrificed their greatest gift to help others. On this day let us remember what we can do to help and my we never forget. We may not have lost family or friends in the events that transpired a year ago, but we did lose our freedom.

Remembering 9/11
By Anne Culp '07

Teddy Roosevelt once said that December 7th, Pearl Harbor, would be a day that would live in infamy. Our current president, George Bush, in his refrence to 9/11 said, "In time, perhaps, we will mark the memory of September 11th in stone and metal, something we can show children as yet unborn to help them understand what happened on this minute and on this day. But for those of us who lived through these events, the only marker we'll ever need is the tick of a clock at the 46th minute of the eighth hour of the 11th day."

Almost everyday I think of the terrorist attacks on September 11th. I think of the World Trade Centers, of the casualties, and of the pentagon. I think of all of the firefighters and the policemen, the Heroes in New York. Other men who I remember were on flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania. One of those men was Todd Beamer.

Todd Beamer and the other men on flight 93 tried to recover the hijacked plane. This plane was headed for our nation’s capital. Beamer and his companion’s attempt was successful, not by saving their own lives, but saving the lives of hundreds of others on the ground in Washington, D.C. Let’s not forget about that flight, or that many were saved because of those heroic men.

The terrorist’s meant to change the United States. and the terrorist did succeed. If you looked around on an ordinary street before September 11th, you most likely would not have seen an American flag. If you look at that ordinary street today, you will see the American Flag proudly hung in almost all store windows and man cars traveling our roadways.

Yes, September 11th was a tragic day, but look at America now. We have become more united, more patriotic, and more respectful of each other. We have become one body, one soul, one people.

The last thing Todd Beamer said on his flight was, "Are you ready? Let’s roll." So, Never forget, always remember. Let’s continue to live to the fullest of the American Dream, life, liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.