Students of MSMS and The W gathered around around the gazebo on September 10 for Together in Unity, the newly renamed annual memorial, made to honor and remember those who suffered on September 11, 2001.

Goen Hall Director, Latoya Bledsoe, started the event in 2012, and since then it has grown over the years. She says, “at first, it was just a small candle light ceremony to remember the tragic events that occurred.  As years progressed, especially within the past five years, the program has gotten larger and even better.  I wanted to give students a perspective about how that day changed the lives of the entire nation.”

The event is largely student led, and every year clubs and students offer to participate.  

Harpreet Singh, senior class vice president, opened up with an introductory speech, and was followed by a speech from Senior Class President Hayden Stokely, and Student Government Association President Gary Nguyen, which largely spoke about the importance in looking past stereotypes and uniting as people.

Stokley explains the speech’s theme: “We noticed that there is still a lot of problems that have arisen from the events that have occurred so many years ago, problems that are less about safety and more about division within our country. So Gary and I really just wanted to address that. We wanted to address that now, more than ever, we needed to come together in unity, and so we really wanted to express that in our speech.”

Junior Class President Annanesya James heard about the program two days prior and agreed to participate, reciting a the poem, “Family Affair.” James says, “ I chose it because this poem because it closely resonates with what I believe as far as how our nation should exist as a family.”

These speeches were followed by the activities of individual students and student organizations. MSMS Voices in Harmony choir performed the national anthem before a flag-folding ceremony was held. Woodwind musicians and Strings Club played a mix of patriotic songs throughout the event. Young Democrats held a candlelight ceremony to honor the casualties of 9/11.Even MUW students joined this year’s events, with members of the International Student Association dancing to different cultures’ music.

Ms. Latoya Bledsoe is excited with how the annual memorial service has grown over the years. “People are starting to move forward just as my concept for this program was to change the title.  I wanted the program to focus more on unity and coming together as a community.  Although September 11, 2001 is a day never forgotten, we can move forward in knowing that the history will never be erased.  Coming together as a community regardless of ethnic background and race is what I see as change.  Let’s embrace change, diversity and move forward!”