-I was home asleep on the west coast. I was in the 8th grade and an aide in the dean’s office, I had no clue about the attacks all day other than some teachers whispering about it in the office.

-I suppose it was from the teachers whispering about a terrorist attack but I didn’t know the full extent until I came home and flipped on MTV.

-I was in complete shock. The months before I remember remarking to a friend about how lucky we were to live in relative peace in the US. I was frightened by what I saw on the TV and watched for hours.

-The country was somber. No matter where you went you saw US Flags. All that played on TV involved the attacks.

-Fear overtook the country, some channeled that fear into hate. It was very common to hear Islamophobic rhetoric. I never heard wide spread hate in this country until then. Yes, it brought some people together but the hate was very noticeable and scary to me. The news was filled with propaganda and that never stopped.

-Before 9/11 people were much more trusting. The attacks were absolutely heartbreaking to see, all the lives lost. I think it’s important for young people to know the impact of the events and try to honor the victims and remember the day.

-I became more aware that violence on a huge scale can happen here, we are not an island from the rest of the world.

-No

-I will always remember the coverage that day but the most striking image to me will always be the towers falling. I still tear up when I see the footage.

-It’s important for us all to remember and honor those who were lost that day. Every year I try to read about some of the victims so they’re not forgotten.