September 11th 2001

It was my first year in High School. A new building where everyone was so much older and bigger then me. I didn't have a lot of friends either. I was really worried about not fitting in. I was worried about not doing well in classes. Nobody really thought I could handle it either. I wanted to prove everyone wrong.

I was in Social studies class. That was my hardest class that year. I didn't know anyone in the class. I don't remember what we were talking about when the announcement came on. Everyone was really quite as the Principle tried to explain what had happened. I really did not understand in the least. He said something like a plane had hit one of the world trade centers towers and to continue our but that he would keep us posted.

When class was over and the bell rung and the halls filled with kids. It was loud and everyone was wondering what was going on. My next class was guidance seminar. Its a freshman class just to make sure that none of us get lost in the halls or anything. When I walked in the class my teacher was crying. She said we would be moving to the library for class. When I walked into the library is when I think it hit me. I saw the faces of my classmates and teachers horror stricken. A student i just met in my last class was sitting alone in the corner crying silently. I found out later his dad lives in New York. We sat around till the end of the day. I didn't cry I just watched it all happen around me.

On the buss ride home with my brother we didn't say a word. Then when we got home he turned on the TV, flipping from station to station. When I saw there were no cartoons, no ESPN, no comedy central- there was only news I really realized how bad it was. The three of us sat there; my brother, myself and Nonna. It did not seem real. Why did they do it? Who would want to do this to innocent people? I was young, and this was so close to me. I had been to NYC about 5 months ago. I went to the top of those very same towers. I road the boat to the statue of liberty and looked back at them and realized there beauty. Nobody else would ever do that again. When I would go back 4 years later to that same place it would be hard even to imaging what used to be there.

But I will not forget those who died. Hero's were born that day. I wont forget but I will not encourage revenge. More death more blood will not change it. It will not bring back those we once loved.