Voices of 9/11: Speakers share personal stories at Ames

As they read a historical fiction book about the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and prepare for a trip to the 9/11 museum, students at Massapequa High School’s Ames Campus made additional connections to the day through Voices of 9/11.

Seven guest speakers shared their personal experiences with ninth graders on Oct. 22. The presenters all had firsthand accounts about either the terrorist attacks upon the World Trade Center or service overseas in the War on Terror. 

“These were powerful stories,” said Tina Farrell, curriculum associate for English language arts and library media. “This is the premise of everything we do academically. It’s about a story. It’s about that human connection.”

Ms. Farrell noted that reading a book helps students visualize, as does having a class discussion, but hearing directly from someone who experienced a historical event brings that knowledge to another level. Students have been reading “Ground Zero” by Alan Gratz in their ELA classes, which looks at 9/11 from two perspectives: 9-year-old Brandon who goes to work with his father in one of the Twin Towers and has to escape, and 11-year-old Reshmina who grows up in the shadow of war in Afghanistan and meets a wounded American soldier. 

Retired New York City firefighter Steven Mormino talked about working on “the pile,” the debris from the collapsed Twin Towers, in the aftermath of the attacks. His brother, Don Mormino, shared a powerful story of responding to the scene on 9/11 and surviving both tower collapses. Bobby Senn, another retired firefighter, was inside the North Tower when the South Tower came down and recounted his experiences.

Thomas Tully, vice president of construction and environmental company the Tully Group, discussed the work that took place to clean up after the collapse of the towers. Retired FDNY battalion chief James Jacobs shared his volunteer work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support families across the country. Steven Miller, retired from the NYPD and now an Ames security guard, spoke about his role in the search and rescue mission. 

All students also attended a presentation from Lt. Colonel Osvaldo Lopez, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the United States Army. His story focused on his experiences at the Pentagon on 9/11 as well as his service overseas, and connected students to the part of “Ground Zero” focusing on Reshmina. 

ELA teacher Jennifer Rabie, daughter of Steve Mormino and niece of Don Mormino, said the presentations were very impactful and will further connect students to their visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on Oct. 29 and 30. More than 200 students attend each day and spend about three hours there for self-guided tours with the assistance of teacher chaperones. 

“It’s one thing to say ‘never forget,’” Ms. Rabie said, “but if we don’t teach the next generation about it, it will be forgotten.”

Photo captions:

1: Retired FDNY lieutenant, Steve Mormino, spoke to ninth graders at the Massapequa High School Ames Campus about surviving the collapse of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

2: Army Lt. Colonel Osvaldo Lopez was one of several speakers for Voices of 9/11 at the Ames Campus on Oct. 22 and shared his experiences serving his country.

3: Don Mormino, retired New York City firefighter, shared a story of survival that made connections to the book students are reading, “Ground Zero.”

4: Retired FDNY battalion chief James Jacobs discussed his experience on 9/11 and his work with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

 

Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District