W. Dept. Students Mourn 9-11 Victims

As investigators continue to dig through the rubble to uncover clues to what has been named the “Second Pearl Harbor,” countless numbers of Americans are finding themselves left to pick up the pieces of their lives and make sense of this seemingly senseless act of violence. On the morning of Tuesday September 11, 2001, many students were rushing to get to school on time or stressing about the day’s activities. By second period, however, the problems they were faced with seemed trivial. Thousands of Americans were dealing with trying to find their loved ones and save their own lives.

When the student body heard the news about the catastrophes in New York City and Washington, it struck a heart chord. Students and teachers alike were watching televisions and listening to radios in deafening silence and astonishment. Many thought they were watching a movie; others simply couldn’t believe their eyes.

Days later, shock has given way to a more somber mood for most students. Some, however, have grown angry towards the terrorists and America for not stopping this tragedy. Still others are proud that the United States will retaliate. The students of West Deptford have also learned that one of their own is missing. Nick Brandemarti, a 1997 graduate of West Deptford High School who was working in the World Trade Center at the time of the attacks is missing. This national tragedy has hit very close to home for the students of West Deptford. If only one miraclecould come from this tragedy, West Deptford hopes that Nick is that miracle. Many Americans are thinking the same way, but West Deptford is still hoping. Their views of this tragedy are ones of disbelief and sorrow; however, they retain hope in America and their fellow Americans, no matter what race or creed.

West Deptford students had various things to say on the matter. Seniors, as they begin to embark on the world outside of high school, are now terrified. Andrew Marple tells of how he heard of the attacks and how he feels about them: “I didn’t find out about the attack until after second period when one of my friends pulled me into a class and showed me a picture of it on TV, and at first I didn’t believe it was going on because it looked like some science fiction horror movie. Then I started to realize that it was really happening, and it just kind of shocked me to realize that someone could actually do something so horrible and to then see the World Trade Center, a major landmark that stood for the greatness of America, actually fall down horrified me.”

Another senior, Heather Keller, shared her views on this remarkable tragedy. “When I first thought about it, I thought it was crazy. I couldn’t believe people would fly a plane into a building for no apparent reason. It was scary too. It knocked us [America] down. It seemed like something out of a movie, the way the plane went right through the building. I feel really bad for all the families involved.”

As freshmen were struggling to become accustomed to high school life, the tragedy seemed to both upset and horrify them. Nicole O’ Sullivan had this to say on the tragedy: “It’s all just very shocking, and I still can’t really believe it. I wish people didn’t have to be cruel and do this to innocent people.” Freshman Matt Geserick was also saddened by the events: “When I think back of the tragic images in the news, they replay in my mind, and I feel mixed emotions of anger and sadness. My only hope is that they find who was responsible and get revenge.”

Other underclassmen were very saddened by the disaster and tried to offer their sympathy to all those who were affected; however, words just didn’t seem to be enough. Junior Tara Oslin had this to say: “The attacks on America were a shock to everyone and emotionally devastated so many people. Every time I turn on the news I just can’t hold back my tears, especially seeing Nick’s face on the TV, someone from West Deptford. It was all too close to home. But I think this whole thing has really united us all as Americans and helped us all to be better people.”

Another Junior, Josh Williams, spoke in disbelief and horror: “I feel horrible for the atrocities that have been committed against my fellow Americans. Moreover, I feel bad realizing that events like this happen everyday in some countries. Buildings exploding, people dying, massacres... They are all common scenes in other parts of the world. Some of those countries cannot deal with this situation as we can. Cry, mourn, and pray today for our dead and injured if you want, but personally I’ll be doing it everyday from now on for everyone.”

Americans are trying to achieve a sense of normalcy in their lives. Classes will go on and more homework will pile up, but no one will ever forget about the lives lost. People will continue to pray for those families.

Article reprinted from The Talon, a West Deptford High School publication.

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Author: Kim Gray--WDHS Newspaper Staff