Latin School of Chicago

Latin's Response to 9/11: A Lesson in Giving Just 15 days into the new school year, the morning of September 11, 2001 was starting much like any other at Latin. Most students were already at school or on their way at 7:45 a.m. when a passenger jet crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center, and at 8:03 a.m. when a second plane hit the other tower. By mid-morning everyone in the community old enough to understand was overcome with the shock and horror of the tragic events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. During the days following September 11, however, feelings of sadness, anger and fear translated for many students into the desire to take positive action to help those directly affected by the attacks. "So many middle school students felt deeply for the children whose lives were changed forever by the terrorist attacks," said Middle School Director Deb Sampey, explaining the overwhelming response among her students. "Supporting the relief initiatives empowered them to believe their actions can make a difference in another child's life." One of the most committed efforts was initiated by a group of seventh grade girls. For nearly a month after 9/11 Alex O'Brien, Rachel Reese, Elise Wanger, Ali Weiner and Stephanie Werner, along with their friends and classmates, assembled red, white, and blue ribbons and sold them at school, in their neighborhoods, and at their parents' places of employment. The girls raised more than $2,500 for children in New York City. Other student-organized initiatives included bake sales, a student government-organized Red Cross blood drive, a jellybean-counting contest and a doughnut sale. Students also wrote hundreds of sympathy notes to families of New York City firefighters who died, and with the help of teachers created a giant American flag that was signed by nearly everyone in the school community and sent to a firehouse. Alice Mathias, junior prefect during the 2001-2002 school year, said the experience taught Latin students an important lesson about philanthropy. "We learned that we can make a difference, however small, and that all those small things that people are doing all over the country are really what will make a huge difference to our nation," she said. Through their efforts, Latin students raised thousands of dollars for relief efforts while many parents generously donated matching funds. Proceeds were donated to the Children's Aid Society in New York, one of the oldest and largest welfare agencies in the country. – reprinted from the 2001-02 Latin School of Chicago Annual Report 112 L AT I N M AGAZINE

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