09/16/2026
The Phoenix Rises
The 8th-grade U.S. History students participated in a Remembrance Activity honoring September 11, 2001. Students first learned about the timeline of events surrounding 9/11, followed by thoughtful discussions about what happened and what people may have experienced and felt that day.
As a class, we reflected on how we can honor the lives affected by 9/11 today—not only by remembering the event, but by choosing to be compassionate, responsible, and good citizens. We also explored the idea of perseverance: how we can rise after experiencing difficult moments in our own lives and how we can help others rise when they have been knocked down.
Each student received a single feather to decorate. The feathers served as symbols of remembrance and respect. Students could choose to create a feather honoring those affected by 9/11 or use it to share a personal example of how they have risen after facing adversity, or how they have helped someone else through a difficult time.
Like the mythical phoenix, which rises from the ashes, the United States demonstrated resilience and strength in the aftermath of 9/11. Our students were reminded that, while we cannot always control the difficult moments we face, we can choose how we respond to them.
We remember. We persevere. We rise.
