By Nicole Falco
Their ideas vary slightly, but there are common themes. For one thing, new office buildings would not be taller than 80 stories, there would definitely be a memorial and/or museum, a garden, a cafe, and shops all covered in red, white and blue.
"When I started the project, I didn't know what I'd get out of it, but it really became something good for us all," Horowitz said.
Horowitz teaches third through sixth grade Quest Program students in each of District 30's three elementary schools. About 55 fifth and sixth graders from the three schools participated in the project of "hope for the future." The Quest Program is an enrichment program for "academically advanced" students.
Basically, Horowitz discussed the events of Sept. 11 with her students, together they watched a video about the history of the buildings and the students were then divided into groups of two or three to get to work.
"There was a lot of cutting of cardboard, a lot of hot glue and a lot of bickering among groups about what should go where," Horowitz said. "They tried to put as much reality in as possible."
Eleven-year-old Elizabeth Swahn's group decided on four, 50-story buildings that would represent the 50 stars in the American Flag. "We didn't want to have two big ones like the [original] WTC and the buildings are red, white and blue for the flag," Swahn said.
Swahn, Jennifer Porti and Frederic Francoeur also decided on a garden of red, white and blue flowers, a wishing well, and a miniature replica of the original towers.
Sinead Knightly and Stephanie Cassano, both 10, decided on four 45-story buildings so, "people wouldn't be scared to go into the buildings."
The girls wanted two steel-colored buildings and two red, white and blue buildings to represent "the Twin Towers of the future and the Twin Towers of the past." There would also be a "nice, calm area to do whatever" you wanted to do and a chalk pathway where people could write messages to their loved ones.
Fifth graders Nicholas Valenti, Paul Albanese and Navid Ahmed decided on a fireman statue for their model along with office buildings, memorials, a gift shop and cafe.
For the students, this project has meant a greater understanding of the WTC and what they meant to New York and why they were attacked, according to Jessica Chow, 11. Every student, without hesitation, said they would visit the new WTC complex when it was built.
"If you are afraid to go back, it's like letting [the terrorists] win," said Albanese.
Denise Cagara, a fifth grader, added, "I think people would feel that part of their spirit was back if the WTC was rebuilt."
Chow said," People might have more confidence if they saw America rebuilding, restoring and replenishing."
Clear Stream Principal Robert Cohen couldn't be more proud of the students.
"They did a great job with a very sensitive topic and I'm not surprised because these are very capable youngsters...it impresses me," Cohen said. "It's impossible to contain your emotions after you read their explanations...they capture the essence of what we are all feeling."
Horowitz added, "It was good therapy for everyone."
