RHS Seniors Reflect on Sept. 11

On Sept. 11, 2001, the class of 2012 were 7-and 8-year-olds in second grade.

The Plum-Oakmont Patch spent time with nine seniors at to talk about what they remember about the day terrorism hit American soil, and how their feelings have evolved throughout the years.

Here's what they had to say:

What do you remember about Sept. 11, 2001?

Camden Kelly: I remember none of the teachers talked to us very much. I know my dad came and picked me up from school, but I didn't understand what was happening. I knew it wasn't good.

Antonio Paris: It was a normal morning, but by lunchtime, we weren't allowed to go outside for recess. We were making a fuss. The TVs were on, but the sound wasn't. I saw what was happening, but I didn't know what was going on. By 11:30 a.m., my mom picked me up and she was crying. She explained what happened at night and I kind of understood.

John Connolly: It was a surreal day, but I don't remember a lot. I remember the feelings changed in an instant. It felt tense, and as 7-year-olds, we were like, "What did we do?" I didn't get picked up from school. When I got home, my parents didn't really say anything. Later, they showed us what happened on TV and said we had to realize that this is the world. It was a major day of growing up.

Corey Arndt: I was enthusiastic about school. Everyone else was thinking about what was going on and I was working on math problems. As a second-grader, you don't really retain things like that. We watched everything unfold, but overall, I didn't have a lot of thoughts about it.

Jonathan Wright: I don't remember much. I didn't get pulled out of school. All I knew was that planes shouldn't be flying into buildings.

Dominic DiSanti: I don't remember a lot. My mom was at the school the whole time, but I didn't know. She told me a plane went into the World Trade Center, but I didn't know what that was. As I flipped through the TV, it felt different than any other newscast. Something felt wrong.

Kyle Osborn: I remember coming home and my dad was home, which is weird because he was never home at that time. My dad's sister lives in New York City and I remember my family calling frantically all day.

Erin Kennedy: My teacher stopped class early, and my parents walked me home. I kept asking what was going on, but no one would tell me.

Mary Kate Patterson: I remember being really confused. Apparently I asked, "What does this have to do with me?"

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

Camden Kelly: It wasn't a good event, but it brought our country together. It was terrorism, but you saw heroism in our country and people who really care.  

John Connolly: It's interesting how one day in history could change the world. The wars we've gone to probably wouldn't be the same. The 3,000 people that died on Sept. 11, 2011, shocked the world. It kills me that there were other people celebrating that in other parts of the world. It sickens me. I think that affected me the most. 

Antonio Paris: I learned about the different perceptions people have of that day. You can see now that all other governments are different and some are corrupt. We couldn't understand it then, but we see it a lot more now.

Corey Arndt: My initial thought was that all Islamic people are bad. In ninth grade, I had a friend from Pakistan. After spending time with him, I learned more about his religion and realized you can't blame a whole group of people for something a select few did.

Mary Kate Patterson: I used to not know where New York was. Now, I realize that an act of terrorism affects the whole country, not just specific people. Everyone as a nation has to come together. Sept. 11 triggered the War on Terror. It isn't so fun.

Erin Kennedy: I realized how unnerving it is that a plane crashed in Western PA. I was watching a special on TV, and I didn't realize that 3,000 children lost a parent on that day.

Kyle Osborn: I realize how much the nation comes together during tragedy and how important that is.

Dominic DiSanti: Sept. 11 is the one historical event that defines our generation. I don't think anything else has been as significant. We're still being impacted by that day with wars, our economy and more. It's interesting to see the impact it will continue to have.

Jonathan Wright: Not everyone in the world is your second grade teacher who is nice. There are different people around the world with different beliefs.

How do you feel about Sept. 11 now?

Camden Kelly: It's hard for me to believe that I was even around when it happened. I can look back to that day. Tensions will be high on the 10th anniversary. It's still fresh on everyone's minds.

John Connolly: I'm not very religious, but I think the 10th anniversary will be like the church's holy Sunday. I don't think I'll be able to take my mind off of Sept. 11. Ten years ago, something that no one ever expected occurred. It will be a somber, solemn day.

Antonio Paris: My family always goes to brunch on Sept. 11 to commemorate the people who died. Last year, my grandmother also passed away on Sept. 11. It's going to be a very rough day for my family.

Corey Arndt: Everyone will remember 9/11. I'm sure we'll keep to ourselves and be quiet.

Kyle Osborn: No matter how much security tightens up, a lot of people are worried about another attack. That terrifies me.

Dominic DiSanti: I'm unnerved by the raise in our terror level. It's bothersome to me. I'm going to reflect on the bad but remember the positive. Sept. 11 was a day that even at our worst, we were still able to do amazing things.

Jonathan Wright: The world is different now because of 9/11. I'm going to think about how my life is different.

Erin Kennedy: I'm going to think about the people directly affected all day. I can't imagine what it was like.

Mary Kate Patterson: I'm going to go about my day, but everything will be quieter and somber because we're all going to be thinking about it.