Where were you on September 11, 2001 when you heard the news?
(Please share your experience of learning of the events and what you did afterwards.)

I was sitting in my classroom doing a math problem when my principal came over the announcements. He said a plane had hit the World Trade Center. No big deal, I thought... just a freak accident. About 20 minutes later I was called out of school to go home with my mom. I got my books and she had a frightened look on her face, so my sisters and I hurried along. She had a very solemn look on her face as she told us the Pentagon and both World Trade Centers had been hit by planes. She said no one knew what it was or why, but that we needed to pray. We said prayers all the way home. We got home and I sat with my mom to watch the news. Slowly we got more and more information. I watched in horror as the cameras focused in on people jumping from the bulidings to get away from the fire. I watched in disbelief as the Trade Centers came crashing down and the city filled with smoke and debris. I will never, ever forget those images.

What is your strongest memory of that day?

My strongest memory is talking to my family on the phone. We live 20 minutes from DC, so they were very concerned about us. There was a fear over this area that another plane would hit the White House or the CIA-which is almost directly next to my High School. Around here we had to comfort those far away that we would stay safe-and to make sure they knew we loved them in case something did happen. I'll never forget their worried voices and constant calls to make sure my family is safe. I'll also never forget the tears in my eyes as they estimated how many had been murdered- thankfully lower in reality, but still unbelievable. That sense of disbelief will never be felt in the same way again.

How do you perceive that the events of September 11, 2001 have affected this country and/or you personally?