Students, staff and volunteers gathered last night at Mason Pond for the candlelight vigil organized by Fourth Estate to honor, grieve and respect the families and first responders that we lost on Sept. 11, 2001.  A candle was lit for each of the 2,977 victims who lost their lives.  Multiple people shared kind words, including President Ángel Cabrera.

“This wasn’t an attack on the United States, it was an attack on everyone.  The world cried together,” Cabrera said. “We should respond with goodness, kindness and service.  Humanity will prevail at the end of the day.”

President Cabrera shared his remarks and thanks with memorial goers and brought his wife along to show their respects.  Cabrera also shared his story of where he was on the day of 9/11.

Student Body President Philip Abbruscato spoke and asked attendees, “What does it mean to never forget?”  He then shared the story of how he first heard about the tragedy of 9/11 when he was 8 years old.

This memorial was a special event because it was also a reminder that this year’s freshmen will be the last part of the generation to remember where they were on 9/11.

Student Mayila Jones played guitar and sang Taylor Swift’s sweet yet haunting ballad of “Safe and Sound.” Jones thought that the lyrics were very appropriate for this moment that the group shared together.

“It expresses how there is a lot of chaos in the world and there is a lot of chaos that can be going on in your world in particular,  but you are safe and sound,” Jones said.

Attendees enjoyed this event as closure to Mason Nation’s 9/11 Day of Service this school year.

Photos by Amy Rose