NORTHEAST WISCONSIN (WFRV) – Multiple schools across northeast Wisconsin spent part of their Thursday honoring the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago.
At Green Bay West High School, students and staff honored the victims of 9/11 with an annual bleacher climb, which represents the flights of stairs the first responders climbed, saving victims trapped in the World Trade Center.
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Local fire crews and National Guard members were also in attendance.
Autumn Matz, Head of the Health Department at Green Bay West High School, says that although these students were not alive at the time of the event, it’s important to know the significance of honoring those who lost their lives on 9/11.
“24 years ago, they weren’t around, so it’s always a good thing to honor our local firemen,“ Matz said. “The National Guard comes out, so [we’re] appreciative of what they do every day for us.”
Meanwhile, at Oshkosh North High School, freshmen and sophomores spent the day collecting donations for the community, including canned goods, hygiene products and pet supplies to be distributed through the community.
“We are redefining a tragedy into a day of good deeds,” social studies teacher Rick Leib said.
Students who participated say it’s to find positives in a tragic day in American history.
“I think it’s important to take back the day that terrorists thought would be something bad to look back at, and we are turning it into something good,” Gabi Pereiradasilva, a student who participated in this event, said.
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It’s Oshkosh North’s seventh time participating in the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. While students learn about the tragedy in the classroom, it allows them to take action and give back.
“In the traditional world, we would study current events but do nothing about them,” Leib said. “Here we get to see what’s going on in the world and do something.”
