story2983.xml
Title
story2983.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-11
911DA Story: Story
I was in my 0 hour chemistry class and I remember my friend Amanda, who had recently moved her from New York, on the phone. I didn't know why but she looked really worried. Then I heard some other kids talking about a plane hitting a building. I assumed they were discussing a book that they had a quiz on that day because, as high school students, we didn't always do our assignments and often asked people what the book we were supposed to read was about. Plus, the idea of a plane crashing into a building was ridiculous so of course it had to be from a book.
Then my teacher came in the room and turned on the radio. We heard about the second plane hitting and that was when I realized what was truly happening. After hearing about it a little, we had to take a test. It was really hard to concentrate, and I wasn't feeling well so that didn't help. After the test I went to the nurse to lie down.
The school wouldn't allow the students to watch the news on tv, we could only listen to the radio, but because I was at the nurses office and she was watching the news, I got to see it too. I saw both towers fall, which most students at my school didn't get to see live. I was completely shocked. I remember sitting on the edge of my little cot in shocked silence. I had never seen anything so horrific in my life: the people jumping from both buildings, trying to save their lives; the civilians in the streets, running when the buildings collapsed; and after, everyone covered from head to toe in ash and debris...
I don't know how I got through the day. It's amazing how strong people become when they have to be. That afternoon, while driving home, people were selling the extra issue of the Austin American Statesman. My friend and I both bought one, and I still have mine. I looked at it last night, and realized how lucky I am to live where I do and have a family like mine.
I am proud to be an American and thankful to everyone who contributed to help the victims of 9/11.
Then my teacher came in the room and turned on the radio. We heard about the second plane hitting and that was when I realized what was truly happening. After hearing about it a little, we had to take a test. It was really hard to concentrate, and I wasn't feeling well so that didn't help. After the test I went to the nurse to lie down.
The school wouldn't allow the students to watch the news on tv, we could only listen to the radio, but because I was at the nurses office and she was watching the news, I got to see it too. I saw both towers fall, which most students at my school didn't get to see live. I was completely shocked. I remember sitting on the edge of my little cot in shocked silence. I had never seen anything so horrific in my life: the people jumping from both buildings, trying to save their lives; the civilians in the streets, running when the buildings collapsed; and after, everyone covered from head to toe in ash and debris...
I don't know how I got through the day. It's amazing how strong people become when they have to be. That afternoon, while driving home, people were selling the extra issue of the Austin American Statesman. My friend and I both bought one, and I still have mine. I looked at it last night, and realized how lucky I am to live where I do and have a family like mine.
I am proud to be an American and thankful to everyone who contributed to help the victims of 9/11.
Collection
Citation
“story2983.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 11, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/11395.