Stoneham High Students Recall the Events of 9/11

September 11, 2001. It was thought to be just another ordinary day for four elementary school students with the sun shining down and the bells ringing to start the school day, but what they did not know was their lives would be changed forever.

Brandon Polizzi, a senior at , was seven years old at the time and in second grade.

“I was in elementary school attending . I was in class and all I remember was the teachers gathering around and talking softly so we could not hear,” Polizzi said. “Then the teachers announced that school was being dismissed and for innocent second graders we thought this was great.”

It was not until Polizzi arrived home to realize why he was dismissed from school that day.

“This day changed my life. When I see the two numbers, 9 and 11, I instantly think back to that day,” Polizzi said. “For example, if I happen to glance at the clock and it says 9:11, I immediately think about that day and not the time.

“For me, this historic day will not be forgotten and I would like to thank all the people who helped on that day in that desperate time of need,” Polizzi said.

Menwhile, fellow high schooler David Coscia remembers the day as if it happened yesterday.

“On September 11, 2001, I was in school and when the teachers and the administration got the news, they dismissed us,” Coscia said. “I remember getting picked up by my mother not knowing what was going on. As a kid, I was actually excited that school had been let out, but obviously being too young to understand the significance.”

Coscia was six years old at the time and did not remember much other than this tragic event.

“I don’t remember much from back then, but as far as 9/11 goes, I remember that day pretty vividly,” Coscia said.

Coscia knows 9/11 impacted him the same way it impacted most people.

“I think the day made me more aware of what is going on in the world. Like many Americans, this was my first exposure to any tragedy on American soil or at least the first one I can remember,” Coscia said. “To go along with that though, the Americans responded to it and gave me a sense of security.

"Obviously it was an awful tragedy, but the way Americans united through it gave me a sense of comfort and that this is probably the best place to live in the event of an attack like this.”

Student Michael Kelly also recalls the tragic events that took place on a beautiful fall day.

“I was at and I remember the teachers coming into the classroom and telling my teachers that planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York,” Kelly said. “At the time, I did not know what was going on so it did not really bother me.”

Kelly was in second grade at the time and was only seven years old, but he is now old enough to realize and understand the significance of this day.

“On the day of the crash, it did not really impact my life because I was only seven and did not know what was going on, but as I grew older, this tragedy changed my entire life,” Kelly said. “After 9/11, I have been terrified of planes. Since that day, I have been scared to get on a plane. Just the thought of 9/11 keeps me from getting on one.”

While security has been increased at airports, Kelly still cannot get over his fear of flying.

“Since 9/11, I’ve been hearing about planes crashing down and people getting killed, it just makes me scared,” Kelly said. “I don’t think I will ever get over this fear.”

Student Alex Federico was six years old and in the first grade when this happened.

“On 9/11/01, I was in Robin Hood Elementary School,” Federico said. “I remember that my parents and teacher had both told me about what had happened. At such a young age, I actually got nervous for a while every time I heard a plane flying overhead.

“Today I am aware of my surroundings because of the 9/11 tragedy,” Federico said. It has made me much more wary about trusting people.”