Today, students across all art classes at Amityville Memorial High School came together for a powerful collaborative project honoring the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Students watched news coverage from that day, listened to firsthand experiences shared by faculty members and heard from members of our security staff who were present at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks.

Following these accounts, students were asked to reflect on unity — what it means, why it matters and how they can help strengthen unity within their own community.

Their individual reflections then became part of something larger. Students’ written statements were woven and collaged together to create a 30-by-50-inch American flag, symbolizing how individual voices and experiences can come together as one. Additional reflections were incorporated into a patriotic bulletin board in the high school’s art and music wing.

Students who responded through drawings also combined their artwork to form a photo collage of the New York City skyline.

For students who know September 11 primarily through history, today provided an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts, reflect on the lessons of that day and consider how they can carry forward its enduring message of hope and unity.