'I Will' Campaign Finds Its Way to Portsmouth Middle School

Just after the first bell rang out Friday morning at Portsmouth Middle School, students and faculty stood and observed a special one-minute moment of silence dedicated to those who lost their lives on 9/11. 

The mornings observances included a poem, For Our World, written by 11-year-old Matthew Stepanek on Sept. 11, 2001. The poem was read by Brita Beitler, one of the school's literacy coaches. A solo trumpet performance by music teacher Richard Price was also aired throughout the school.

Students were also asked to be part of the "I Will" campaign, taking place across America. The campaign encourages everyone to make a promise to do "a good deed, charitable activity, or other plans, to honor the 9/11 victims, survivors and those that rose in service in response to the attacks."

The idea to include the I Will commitments in today's program was the brainchild of the leadership team of the school including Principal Joe Amaral and Lisa Little, fourth grade guidance counselor. 

"We wanted to put our focus on how we were going to honor this day in a positive way and educate our students that through tolerance and understanding of individual points of view, we can turn the tragic events of 9/11 into something we can learn from," said Amaral.

"We need to remember and learn that we are more alike than different and our education system is strong, and it is through education we can learn tolerance.

"The crafters of 9/11 were intolerant of society in general and we saw the evil of this intolerance. We need to educate and teach awareness that there are differences in all of us."

The students "I Will" promises, which have been printed on recycled bio-degradable paper, will be buried this fall under a tree on the school grounds symbolizing the "fuel" for its growth.

The tree will in turn be a forever reminder of the meaning of this day in history.

Fundraising efforts for the tree and commemorative plaque have been ongoing by the Student Council, who will decide the most appropriate species for the area.

"This tree will always be something for our students to come back to and a reminder of the lessons learned today through the 'I Will' promises and will be a living part of the school for many years to come," said Lisa Little.

Below are just a few of the many promises made today by a generation of children whose lives have been forever changed"

I will..."pay more attention to my families sponsor child. We sponsor a girl named Cheytch Tukong in Africa. I will send her more pictures, stickers and all kinds of other stuff in my letters." — Grace Perlmutter, grade 5

I will..."sometime join the U.S. Army, but for today I will respect and use manners towards others." — unknown PMS student

I will..."take nothing for granted and do very well in school. I will participate in helping the world." — unknown PMS student

I will..."recycle to keep the earth healthy and clean for all that have died all around the world. People should recycle to help the people that have died." — unknown PMS student