All grades at my school, Emerson Middle School, made this flag tribute shortly after 9/11

I can still remember sitting in my 8th grade class as entire classes of students piled into ours. We had the only mounted TV on the entire floor and it was connected to the news. My peers and I watched as the news anchors replayed footage of a plane flying into the second tower, and a teacher saying, “Pay attention everyone. You are watching history being made.”

That day changed our country forever, and I think it goes without saying that 9/11 still makes people feel a way that no other event in recent history does. I will always look back, particularly at this photo, and feel a sense of sadness, fear, and pride for the people who lost their lives escaping or helping others to escape the events of that day.