Students at Albemarle High School were very young when the violence unfolded on September 11, 2001, but they say they remember the confusion and loss that day. Tuesday, Albemarle High School students had a ceremony in their courtyard, followed by a moment of silence.
Senior Annie Keller was in first grade when 9/11 happened. "All of a sudden the announcements came on that... parents might come pick up their children and that teachers should have a sign-out sheet ready," she said.
Keller was forced to understand an unthinkable act at a young age. She explained, "I just remember when I got picked up that day, my mom took me out on the porch and had a long talk about the fact that there were bad people in the world, and some bad things had happened."
Eleven years later, she's joined by some of the same classmates as they reflect on the anniversary.
Albemarle High School Principal Jay Thomas said, "Almost everybody in one way or another had friends, family, loved ones, neighbors that were affected by this tragedy. And I think that's the bond that some of these people have with this."
For students like Keller, 9/11 has shaped their lives. "To make the world a better place and hopefully we as a people can influence if not our community, our country…maybe the world and just change people's ideas," she said.
The 9/11 ceremony at Albemarle High School is an annual event, and teachers say each year it gets bigger.
