The Masters Community Remembers 9/11

Masters School students, faculty and staff observed moments of silence and commemorated the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during each division’s Morning Meeting on Wednesday, September 11.

In the Upper School, students heard from a panel of 12 members of the faculty and staff who, one by one, shared their memories and experiences of that day, whether at Masters or elsewhere. 
 
One of the several compelling testimonies that the students heard came in the form of a video recording from Andrea Fischer ’02, who was a senior at The Masters School on the day of the attacks and now works as director of upper school admission. Fischer recalled the anxiety that she and her fellow students felt as details of the attacks emerged and broken phone connections prevented students from reaching their loved ones. Fischer remembered gathering in the dining hall with “hundreds of students” and how the community came together to support one another. “It was a moment when age didn’t matter, role didn’t matter, it was more about being a human and about the shared experience that we were all going through at the same time,” she said. 
 
“We wanted to commemorate the lives lost, and also explore the generosity of spirit that broke open on that day, and so very many days afterward, as individuals and groups from around the city, state, country and world came forward to help in whatever ways they could,” said upper school history, religion and journalism teacher Ellen Cowhey, one of the organizers of the event in the Upper School.
 
Led by Head of Middle School Tasha Elsbach, the middle school community reflected on remembering 9/11 despite the students not having experienced the day. “What does it mean to remember, when you do not have memories to recall or remember?” Elsbach asked the students. She also shared a few basic facts about the attacks and underscored the importance of remembering those who lost their lives on that day and honoring those who helped with the rescue and recovery efforts.
 
Students heard about some of the consequences that followed the attacks, from countless personal losses and increased airport security, to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Elsbach wrapped up the meeting reading a poem written by students in a New York City classroom one year after the attacks. A relative of the students’ teacher perished on that day in Tower One of the World Trade Center. 
 
List of “Don’t Forgets” and “Remembers”
 
We were eight.
Before September 11th, we would wake up with a list of “Don’t Forgets”
Don’t forget to wash your face
Don’t forget to brush your teeth
Don’t forget to do your homework
Don’t forget to wear your jacket
Don’t forget to clean your room
Don’t forget to take a bath
After September 11th, we wake up with a list of “Remembers”
Remember to greet the sun each morning
Remember to enjoy every meal
Remember to thank your parents for their hard work
Remember to honor those who keep you safe
Remember to value each person you meet
Remember to respect other’s beliefs
Now we are nine.

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