For middle school students, the story of 9/11 is just that -- a story. They were only three or four years old at the time. Now, everything they learn is by watching TV, or listening to their parents and teachers.
That's why teachers, like Loris Middle School's Bruce Maggi, are so important.
"If we don't explain it to them, and give our own connections to that day -- no, they're not going to understand it," said Maggi. "It's like reading a page out of a history book."
Maggi is able to teach based on his own personal experience.
The art teacher grew up on Long Island, and worked for the New York City Police Department for five years before moving to Loris and later starting his teaching career.
"I found out one of the fire fighters, I used to be with the volunteer fire department, died." said Maggi. "And then a police officer I worked with in Queens also died."
But rather than dwelling on the sad feelings -- Maggi teaches his students through art.
His students are commemorating those lost, and those brave enough to go after them, with a tile mosaic that will be put in the school's rotunda. They'll also plant a tree in honor of the victims of 9/11.
Loris students are learning that many of the heroes of 9/11 were every day heroes, and that they too can become every day heroes through civic engagement.
Lorris Middle School Assistant Principal, Ann Hall, says it's around this time every year they kick off their community outreach efforts.
"We want them, more than anything, to walk away with a sense of helping others," said Hall. "Because the families of the victims of 9/11, that's what they want us to do -- honor the memories by doing projects for our community, making our community a stronger place."
Though they don't remember the actual day, they're learning to appreciate our nation's history. They're learning from the selfless acts of the first responders -- and taking the message into their own community.
"[The art] gives them something to look at and go 'Oh yeah, I want to be a part of that, I want to help out," said Maggi.
And at the end of the day, the art teacher feels he's done his job.
"It makes me feel good that I actually get to explain how I knew these people -- and what it means to me, because I think it allows the students to understand me more as a person, rather than just that teacher that stands in the front of the room."
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