Plum High School Seniors Remember 9/11

Seniors were second-graders 10 years ago when America was attacked by terrorists.

As they've grown, they've learned about an event they were too young to fully understand at ages 7 and 8.

Here's what they had to say:

What do you remember about Sept. 11, 2001?

TJ Boney: I remember being in school out on the playground for recess and my mom came to get me. We just went home and watched the news about what was happening.

Joe Schultz: I remember not taking it seriously, and being surrounded by teachers and parents talking under their breath to each other about it. Then when I went home, my mom tried to explain to me what happened.

Holly Kennedy: I was in second grade sitting in Miss Mackler's room. All of a sudden, my friends were being taken out of class and going home with their parents. Then, one of the teachers turned on the TV and we saw what was happening. I didn't really understand what had just happened to our country.

Katie McCarthy: I was in second grade at and now allowed to go outside for gym class. Also, many of my friends were leaving the school and I didn't understand what was happening. When my bus dropped me off at my house at the end of the day, my mother was watching the planes crash into the World Trade Center, but I was still too innocent to know the true effects of the attack.

Jessica McDade: I remember my mom taking my sister and I out of school early. I was confused at what was going on as my family sat in the living room watching the TV. All I knew was that something bad was happening.

Aaron Myler: I remember going home after a confusing day at school and my mother was watching the news.

Throughout the years, how has your perception about the terrorist attacks changed? What have you learned?

TJ Boney: My perception hasn't really changed about the terrorist attacks. I have always felt that it was an unnecessary attack and that many Americans lost their lives. I have learned that people had to jump out of buildings—that they chose this over staying in the building.

Joe Schultz: As I got older, it made me more angry. The more I learned, the more I wondered why.

Holly Kennedy: As I've matured and as I've studied the 9/11 attacks, I've learned more about the people responsible for this tragedy.

Katie McCarthy: I see terrorist attacks now as groups like Al-Qaeda's terrible way of destroying lives of many people. I have learned how many people are trying to help prevent more attacks from occurring, as well as higher security in airports and other public places.

Jessica McDade: Learning about 9/11 through the years, I see terrorist attacks as a major threat. You hear about different terrorist attacks elsewhere, but it's different when it happens to you and your country.

Aaron Myler: My perception about terrorists hasn't changed, but I have learned hay they have bad ideas on their minds and intend to follow through with it.

How do you feel about Sept. 11 now?

TJ Boney: I feel sympathy for the families and friends of people who lost their lives.

Joe Schultz: I feel pretty much the same—angry, curious. Will this happen again and are we handling this appropriately?

Holly Kennedy: I still feel mad and angry that someone would do this. I hurt for the kids who lost parents and relatives. I feel for the single parents and people who lost loved ones. I am also proud of how our country became one and stayed strong, helping each other through that terrible time. For all the lives lost that day, you will always be remembered.

Katie McCarthy: With this year being the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, history classes and announcements at my high school commemorate this event. It brought into perspective for me the severity and emotional effects that this terrorist attack cause for millions of people directly and indirectly involved.

Jessica McDade: I feel sad when I think about all those innocent people dying on 9/11. I also feel proud when I think of the brave people on Flight 93 who took the plane down before it could reach it's destination.

Aaron Myler: I feel that Sept. 11 will live in infamy as the day our country was weak but grew stronger in the end.