It was a humdrum day; partly cloudy with light showers. The tardy bell had just rang, and for the students of Jamestown High School, second block was about to begin. It was the beginning of the new school year, and the beginning of my new high school career when my schoolmate seated to the right of me leaned over and whispered, " the twin towers got hit by a plane."

Of course I didn't believe it. I thought he was playing some kind of practical joke, so I smiled at him and returned my attention to my Algebra teacher Mrs. Hite. Not even five minutes later, my principal came to the door and beckoned for Mrs. Hite to come into the hall. I thought nothing of it until Mrs. Hite returned with tears streaming down her face. She stood in front of our, then silenced, room and explained that...