“I remember being in fifth grade and an announcement came on the speaker telling students to go to homeroom. I was confused about why my teacher was acting nervous and was glued to the TV. When I looked, all I saw was darkness and fire.”
“I was in third grade. I just got a sticker on a chart for reading and I was really excited about it. Other people were saying I was being selfish, but I didn’t understand why.”
“I lived in Manhattan and I remember getting called out early and having so much trouble getting home because of traffic. My grandmother worked across the street from the towers and when I got home I remember her being there and wearing all black.”
“I was in third grade and I remember everyone started panicking. My mom worked for the school so she stayed to make sure everyone was safe. Being told what happened was shocking but I also didn’t really understand.”
On a clear night on Sept. 11, 2012, the Cabrini campus honored those fallen in the attacks exactly 11 years before. Jessica Merone, senior psychology, social work, and Spanish triple-major and president of the Community Service and Outreach Club, said that CSOC had a meeting early on and discussed what they wanted to do. They also worked with Campus Ministry and SGA.
There was a memorial service held in the Chapel at 7 p.m. and a candlelight vigil following at 7:30 p.m. About 50 students and staff members attended the mass and vigil to show their respect for the fallen heroes and the friends and family members that had been influenced by the monumental day in 2001. Students Victoria Werring, Jennifer Persia, Cathy Matta, Emily Paradise and Merone spoke at the mass and joined in a prayer for peace for all affected.
Father Carl began the mass with a short welcome followed by Werring’s opening greetings. Persia and Matta then did readings and Merone read a student reflection. Paradise closed the service with a closing blessing:
“Guide us as a nation, and help your people to never forget how so many laid down their lives for their friends.”
A candlelight vigil followed. Those who attended surrounded the peace pole and lit candles in remembrance. Anna Giangiulio played violin and Anie Jamgochian sang “Amazing Grace.” Attendees were then told to take a moment and leave at their leisure.
After the vigil, some students stayed behind, one of which being Merone.
“I felt privileged that I was able to participate in an event like this for everyone to come together and be together on a day like today. I’m happy that I can be a part of something like this; I can see how it affects us all,” Merone said.
