Locust Valley Central School District marks 9/11 with somber ceremony

Locust Valley Middle and High schools’ student government officers participated in a ceremony to memorialize the victims and honor the heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

On the 19th anniversary of that tragic day in 2001, the students gathered at the school’s flagpole to place a commemorative wreath.

Bryan Sarandrea, the Locust Valley Central School District coordinator of social studies and business spoke before introducing the students. “The anniversary of the day and this moment is heartbreaking,” he said. “We think of the selflessness, the successes, the families and the potential for greatness that was lost among many individuals.”

Locust Valley Middle School student government officer Abigail Maselli and Locust Valley High School student government president Zosia Lemaitre stood together and shared powerful words of remembrance, alternating lines.

“We remember the first responders who ran towards the danger while everyone was run away to safety,” Abigail said.

“We remember the workers that spent months at the site doing work that most of us will never understand,” Zosia said.

Abigail and Zosia spoke of the twin towers, the Pentagon, the field in Pennsylvania, Flight 93, those who lost their lives and those who survived with memories they will never be able to forget.

Then Locust Valley senior Alyssa Zambuto played taps to end the ceremony.

In the district’s elementary schools, moments of silence were observed and many students drew pictures as part of their lessons teaching them about the events of 9/11.