Bloom High Students Organize Annual 911 Ceremony

Adjusting the Illinois flag, Josselyn Ayala, a Bloom student and member of the high school’s NJROTC prepares for her final 9/11 Memorial. For this senior from Chicago Heights, her love for country and her determination to remember others is evident.

“I was born a month after 9/11” explains Ayala. “My mom saw it happened, so she wanted me to embrace respect and to commemorate those who have passed away during the attack that day.” Ayala has been taking part in the 9/11 Memorial service all four years of high school.

“It’s something that impacted us” added Ayala. “Bloom’s 9/11 ceremony has always been important for me.” Ayala plans to join the Navy after graduation next May.

Carlos Luna, a senior at Bloom high school saluted as Bloom’s NJROTC’s color guard presented the colors. Luna, active his years at the high school took pride in taking part in the annual 9/11 Bloom High school ceremony. He is a platoon commander for NJROTC cadets.

“We should always remember what happened on 9/11” said Luna. “There were a lot of people who suffered. Luna has chosen to join the United Sates Marine Corp after graduating from Bloom and leaves for boot camp next July.

“9/11 inspired me to join the Marines in a way” Luna said. “I feel wherever you’re from, you should have respect and loyalty for your country because that’s where you originate from. I have a service and duty to my country, without my country I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I have today. Every high school should have a little assembly to honor those who perished.”

Luna invited Staff Sergeant Vincent Sanders from the Chicago Heights Marine Corp recruiting office to take part in the high school’s annual remembrance. Since Sergeant Sanders works with some of the Bloom high students, he was one of the community members that took part in the high school’s annual remembrance.

“That day affected our whole country” Luna added. “we should all respect and tip our hats to that.”

When Dr. Lenell Navarre made the opening remarks, the pride for his country was obvious. “I was a part of the Army reserves” begins Dr. Navarre. “I was a specialist. Because of that, 9/11 means a lot” said Dr. Navarre.

“This day is important” he added. “It’s important to educate the students and make them aware of what happened that terrible day.”

As the ceremony went on, Henry Drake the District 206 school board President placed a 9/11 wreath as well as a flag presentation was held. Two members of Bloom’s NJROTC presented American flags to Tommy Rogers, Chicago Heights police Chief as well to Assistant Fire Chief Fewkes.

“A lot of Bloom Township students go into the Armed Forces, it means a lot to the students here in the NJROTC “ Dr. Navarre said. ”As long as I’m here as Superintendent, we will always have this program.”