MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — Students at Sparkman High School and Hazel Green High School found unique ways to learn about the 9/11 attacks and honor the victims and heroes.
At Sparkman High School, two dozen student, all of whom were born after the 9/11/2001 attacks, set out nearly 3,000 flags in the driveway circle of their school. They chose that location so the thousands of people who pass the campus will be able to see the exhibit and honor victims of 9-11.Sparkman High US History teacher Bobby Dolan helps students with this project each year.
Principal Chris Shaw says that the project isn't just for the students...it's for the whole community. He explains, "It's great to see our students remember our victims from 20 years ago. In our social studies classes, they've done a wonderful job of remembering the victims and what happened at 9/11. By planting flags right in front of the school, it's something that our community in Harvest, Monrovia, Toney...when they drive by the school, they can see that the students of Sparkman have never forgotten what happened 20 years ago."
Student Anna-Claire Foster shared why the project means so much to her. "The name of the project is 9/11 Never Forget. Both of my parents were in the military and the military is very important to me, honoring them, their sacrifices, especially the ones where their families were taken. And I also have an uncle who's a police officer, my grandfather was a police officer, and police officers had a big role in 9/1 and saving lives.
JROTC students at Hazel Green High School got to hear from Navy veteran Captain Carl Drossel, who was in the Pentagon at the time the plane hit the building. He was also in charge of notifying family members their loved ones had been killed. He spoke to the students via Zoom, and it made what happened on 9/11 much more real to them.
Hazel Green JROTC cadet Katalina Archiable:
Hazel Green JROTC cadet Landen Atwell:
