SHARE:  
Contact Us: (800) 894-7201
THE PESA POST
The latest news, views and announcements from
Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action

September 15, 2022
A SOMBER, EDUCATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
The two-day event teaches kids about 9/11 and brings families and community members together 
Why is there so much chaos in the world? Some researchers of violence believe that our desire to be part of a group of like-minded people—to the exclusion of those we deem the “other”—plays an outsized role in our sometimes highly volatile society. We see it manifest in horrible spasms like the attacks on 9/11. This is why it’s so important, no matter how painful it may be, to examine those moments regularly, learn about and understand them, and avoid repeating them.

On the recent anniversary of 9/11, PESA partnered with Global Youth Justice and Fremont High School on the second annual Never Forget 9/11 memorial event devoted to the remembrance of that fateful day and to teaching teens who weren’t even born at that point the significance of an act that drew us into a protracted war and resulted in tremendous loss of life and resources.

On Friday, September 9, students were taught about the day itself and events leading up to it, they were shown testimonial videos from 9/11 survivors and first responders, and they were given the opportunity to discuss the tragedy and write letters to victims, family members, first responders … whatever resonated with them that would allow them to reflect on the stories they had heard about that day. This was followed by a discussion about how the world has changed since 9/11 and all of the things that still impact our lives: The expansion of the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Patriot Act in particular. Finally, students were encouraged to create an art project that reflected their feelings about what they’d learned and experienced.
Then, on Sunday, September 11, a remembrance ceremony was held on the campus of Fremont High, with more than 100 students, their families and community members in attendance. Speakers included Los Angeles Unified Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin and Marine Sergeant Major Ramiro Olmos, leader of Fremont’s ROTC, which made a special flag presentation. Films were watched and stories were shared on an emotional and educational day that had an impact on participants.

"My favorite part was the art project,” said 11th grader Luis Rivas. “My group tried to honor the people who died at the Twin Towers through our painting. We painted the towers on fire with the souls of the people who died as angels going to heaven. It was our way of never forgetting what happened that day."

"I wrote a letter to the families of the people who died and told them I was sorry for their loss and I hope everything would get better," said Kevin Barrientos, a 10th-grade student.

Finally, senior Antwyone Browder, summed up the day: "I've learned about 9/11 every year, but I have never done anything like this. Talking with friends and other students was interesting. It was a good learning experience to remember what happened on 9/11."

Click here to watch a video of the Sunday Remembrance event.

If you’d like to support PESA’s many social and educational initiatives, please contact us.