story5312.xml

story5312.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I started my usual schedule that morning. I was cheerful and getting ready for school. It was my senior year of highschool. I turned on the radio to jam out to my favorite music while doing my hair and makeup. It was just a regular day, or so I thought. After a song was over, commercials came on. So, I changed the channel. All there were, were people talking. As I was about to turn off my radio, I heard a radio announcer shockingly describing what had been reported. A plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I didn't stop my routine because I thought it was some kind of radio prank. I mean, of course, it had to be some kind of joke, right? Then, I could hear gasps in the background. The announcers became silent. They reported now that a second plane had flown into the second building. I could tell now that there was truth in their voices. I got shivers up and down my body. I then explained to my unknowing parents what was going on. We turned on the television only to find horrible footage of what had happened. I didn't want to go to school now. How could I learn when I knew everyone's mind was on this attack of our country.
But, I had to go to school. When I got there, some kids didn't even know what was going on. Some were shaking in fear. Some didn't go to school because their family lived near the Trade Center. By this time, I had already seen enough horror. Then, in another class, I had learned that another crash had happened in the Pentagon. What was happening to our country? Pandemonium and fear was all we could allow. As we watched the surreal reports, there was a dead silence in the room. It was the first time all of us had experienced these feelings of compassion, empathy, and remorse at the same time. Even though we weren't at those bombing sites, we too felt what those families felt. I could see it in every students eyes. They all were in disbelief. Many were crying, many were talking frantically, and many were silent.
This day will always live on in my memory when we all came together as one.