09/11/2026
As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the unity that emerged in the face of tragedy. At The O'Neal School, the events of 9/11 inspired something lasting: a commitment to service that continues to shape our community today.
In the days following the attacks, O'Neal students sought a meaningful way to respond. Led by freshman Jamaal Sebastian-Barnes '05 and faculty member (now retired) Lyn Cagle, they founded the O'Neal Volunteers Outreach organization (ONVO), driven not by recognition, but by a desire to help others. Students organized donations, cards, photographs, and messages of support for New York City firefighters and quickly expanded their efforts into food drives, community service projects, blood drives, Habitat for Humanity builds, and countless initiatives benefiting others.
What began as a student-led response to a national tragedy became a defining part of O'Neal's culture. Today, the legacy of ONVO lives on through ONV/Key Club and the many students who continue to serve their school and local community with compassion, leadership, and purpose.
On this anniversary, we remember. We reflect. And we honor the enduring spirit of service born from one of our nation's darkest days.
The O'Neal School Alumni Lyn Cagle Jamaal Sebastian-Barnes
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