NewsHour Special Reports: Terrorist Attack

U.S. Response

September 11
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Washington D.C.

Attack Investigation

New York

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Reaction to the attack

By Erin Kandel, Age 18
New York City, NY

September 11th began tragically when a hijacked commercial airliner plummeted into the north tower of the World Trade Center.

At that moment, what should have been an average day of lectures, quizzes, and homework for many high school students spiraled into an unforeseen atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and ultimately, togetherness.

Finding out

At many schools, news of the attack first echoed quietly within circles of faculty and teachers, who attempted to keep the reports under wraps until the administration had decided on the most tactful way to alert students.

Eventually, teachers were charged with the dreaded task of informing students about the tragedy and abandoning their class lessons to watch televised news reports.

"I couldn't believe it when my teacher told me," said Cherika a freshman who lives in Florida . "But then we started watching it on the news-I was in total shock."

But in some schools, like The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, Queens, administrations took a more candid approach and announced the news to the entire student body via the public address system or a school assembly.

"They announced what happened over the loud speaker, but the message wasn't really clear," said one 16-year-old sophomore. "All we knew was that planes had hit the World Trade Center-they didn't say anything about it being a terrorist attack."

By 9:08 am, both World Trade towers were ablaze after a second airliner crashed into the south tower, and most high school classrooms had been disrupted by some news of the attack.

First reactions

Initially, like much of the rest of America's startled onlookers, many students observed the attack with subdued disbelief, unable to anticipate the full implications of the violence.

"I was so surprised and confused," Diana, a senior who lives in Florida. "I didn't even know how to react."

But that shock gradually gave way to fear and panic as details of the tragedy unfolded.

"When the towers fell, I really started to worry because my dad works downtown. I was really scared," a New York teen recalled.

With the situation in the financial capital of the world deteriorating, U.S. schools swarmed with scared, question-laden students gushing with uncontrollable emotion. As quickly as New York City mobilized a rescue effort for victims of the collapsed towers, high schools organized crisis management teams to assist fear-stricken teens.

Alicia was one of those frightened students. "My teacher told me not to panic, and said I should go to the office with my questions and concerns, she said. "There, counselors, teachers, and the principal were all ready to help."

The slow road to recovery

While sitting together and watching TV screens from their classrooms, some students said they forged a bond of mutual support with their fellow peers as means of coping with their own feelings of anxiety and sorrow.

"Having all my friends and classmates there with me made the whole thing a lot easier to handle," said Jonathon, who was in history class when the attack took place. "With everything going on at once, I was glad to be among people I care about."

In lieu of the tragedy, many schools realized that a normal day of classes could not possibly resume that fearful Tuesday. Thus, some principals suspended class, allowing students to reunite with their parents.

Now, with the attack already almost a week in the past, students and teachers prepare to face a new school week with hope and encouragement.

"Students are going to feel sadness, grief, and fear over this for a long time to come, " said Mike Austin, a guidance counselor at a Florida high school. "We've got many means of support that are prepared to help in any way possible."

But perhaps students' own friends, family, and peers will be the greatest source of support during the weeks to come.

"Coming back to school this week, I'm so glad to be with my friends," Katie, 16, said. "After all of the bad news, I'm glad to be smiling with them again."

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