Lawrence Middle School marks 9/11 anniversary

Though eighth-grader Robyn Lerebours was only 2 on Sept. 11, 2001, and many of her schoolmates were not born yet, when she looked around the auditorium at Lawrence Middle School’s 9/11 memorial ceremony on Tuesday, she noticed many of her classmates wiping away tears.

“It’s important to remember this day,” she said. “It’s a very important part of our history.”

This year’s ceremony was organized by the co-advisors of Student Government, Kelly Dowling, a sixth-grade teacher, and Martina Iuliano-Tretter, an Italian teacher at the middle school. “That day was and continues to be a difficult one for many,” Iuliano-Tretter said. “But our country is safe, secure and strong.”

“Our job is to make sure we never forget the sacrifices that so many people make each day,” Dowling added. “And to treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Like Dowling, Superintendent Gary Schall also offered students advice. “Thousands of people risked their lives and gave their lives for others,” he told them. “A hero is someone willing to take action when called upon, and we all have some hero in us. Always do the right thing.”

Madelyne Schmitt, a seventh-grader and a member of the Lawrence Middle School show choir, which sang Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” at the ceremony, said her uncle died on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center. “A lot of heroes died, and they saved a lot of lives,” she said. “I feel pride because I know that my uncle died being a hero.”

State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) attended the ceremony, and said it was vital for children to understand the sacrifices that are made for many of the freedoms Americans have. “This is the best country in the world,” he said. “Today we celebrate the strength of our people and show the world that we have recovered.”

Weisenberg also told students to be proud of who they are and where they come from. “We’re taught to love and care for each other and be strong forces in society,” he said. “Help someone out each day because happiness comes from doing good things.”

Organizing a memorable ceremony was important to Iuliano-Tretter and Dowling. “We wanted to put something together to remember this day and so the kids who weren’t born yet understand what happened,” Dowling said. “People in this building were affected by that day; it hit close to home.”

English teacher Lisa King lost two of her cousins, a New York City firefighter and a police detective. Principal George Akst, however, was one of the lucky ones: His daughter escaped from the World Trade Center.

“These ceremonies must continue to remember those who went off to work and didn’t come home,” Akst said. “Our freedom has been challenged and is still being challenged to this day. We will never forget.”