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Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action


September 12, 2024

A DAY OF RECOGNITION FOR OUR FALLEN HEROES

PESA Supports Fremont High School’s 9/11 Commemoration

On September 11th, 2024, John C. Fremont High School hosted a "First Responders Recognition Ceremony" to honor the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001. The event, supported by PESA, served as a reflection of 9/11 and the impact it has left to first responders, medical staff, and citizens around the country.


The event began with the Presentation of School Flags and Color Guard, followed by welcome speeches from the school’s principal and assistant principal. A wreath-laying ceremony and a spoken poem, by Law and Social Justice (LSJ) student Jaiden, added a reflective tone to the proceedings. Various representatives from organizations such as LAUSD Nurses, Los Angeles Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Los Angeles County Firefighters delivered speeches, each paying tribute to the bravery of first responders and emphasizing the importance of community. Excitingly enough, the LAUSD Police Office had one of their helicopters do a ‘Fly Over’ as a way to commemorate the moment. 


Following the speeches, attendees were invited to visit booths hosted by various organizations, including PESA’s table, which displayed posters created by LSJ students. In the weeks leading up to the event, Stephanie Santillan, Assistant Director of Youth Services at PESA, worked closely with the LSJ students, educating them on the far-reaching repercussions of 9/11. Lessons covered topics such as the tightening of privacy laws, changes to airport security through the formation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the unfortunate rise in Islamophobia in the U.S. 


One student, Ariel, a 12th grader, shared her thoughts on participating, saying, “I used to be really shy, but now I feel like when people see us taking action, they’re more motivated to get involved.” The event not only honored the legacy of 9/11 but also instilled a deep sense of civic responsibility in Fremont’s students.


The recognition ceremony not only deepened student’s understanding of 9/11 but it also provided a platform for meaningful discussions – fostering a greater sense of connection and awareness within the school community. 


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