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Wednesday, September 19, 2001
Daytona Beach, Florida

Area high school students reacted with strong emotions to last week's horrific airliner hijackings in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Some were scared and nervous, others had fears about U.S. military retaliation. Many turned to their religious beliefs for solace. Campus page student reporters talked to their classmates in the hallways and classrooms for today's story.

A stunning history lesson

Shock was one of the first emotions students felt as they watched events unfold on national television the morning of Sept. 11.

"I was shocked," said Kristal McKee, a sophomore at DeLand High School. "I hope our government thinks things through before they react."

"What happened was a real tragedy," said Colette Miller, a DHS junior. "I was shocked and appalled that someone could do something like this. Those terrorists need to be severely punished. God bless anyone who has lost a loved one." Jamie Vanderlip, a senior, said, "...it is still unreal."

Mary Waldron, a junior at Father Lopez, had a lot of different reactions. "I am going through many different emotions all at the same time," she said. "I feel anger, sadness, shock and disbelief at these horrible events... as a native New Yorker, I am having trouble imagining the twin towers demolished."

At New Smyrna Beach, Mackenzie Stauffer, sophomore, felt "some sense of uneasiness and threat. Now that I have gotten more in depth information into the whole situation, I have gained more confidence that we can get though this together because of my faith."

Religious faith offered comfort to many students as they struggled to come to grips with the tragedies.

"The affect of this tragedy is beyond belief," said Bethany Allen, a junior at Spruce Creek. "I had a peace in the midst of the events and have no fear of what is to come because of my eternal security in Jesus Christ. I think this has caused people to look to God and explore His existence."

Shayna Paolucci, a freshman at Flagler Palm Coast, said she has been "praying and just asking God for protection and also asking older people their opinions on what they think is going on."

An FPC senior, Dana Nobile, said that even though the attacks were devastating, "I believe it is opening America's hearts and minds to God as we search for answers and comfort. I know He will give it to those who seek Him."

Atlantic students also had strong opinions about what America should do in retaliation.

"I think we should give them (terrorists) what they deserve," said Atlantic senior Andy Burgess. "Anyone in cahoots with this guy (Usama bin Laden) should be bombed."

"He needs to be tortured," said Megan Stanton, junior. "If they think that was going to hurt us, it only made us stronger. We're going to fight back."

"Bombing is doing to them what they did to us," echoed classmate Justin Dabney.

"It was a cowardly act," exclaimed Mayan Patel, an Atlantic junior. "We are at war. The people want it."

Mainland senior Brian Panton isn't so sure. "I have mixed feelings about it," he said. "On the one hand, I feel they should be punished. But, on the other hand, we don't need to drop to their level and kill civilians because they aren't making the decisions. And just as innocent people were killed here, we'd be killing innocent people there."

Jeremy Janney, a New Smyrna Beach senior, had a variation on revenge.

"America requires justification of its wounds and pride, but rather than instigate another world war by killing innocent people, I feel we should go about capturing Usama bin Laden through covert operations," he said. "That way we would feel avenged and one less terrorist would be in the world."

Students like Oliver Collins, a Seabreeze senior, were concerned that Muslims in the U.S. would be harassed.

"The recent tragedy has hit hard in American hearts, " he said, "however it is wrong to lash out at Muslims in our own country."

Sneha Shah, a junior at New Smyrna Beach, of Arabic descent, said he has not felt any prejudice, "but people have questioned my parentage, as in 'what are you'? Basically they are wondering if we are Palestinian or Muslim, which we are neither," he said. "But this is a time for unity and supporting each other so even if we were, it shouldn't matter. All Americans feel horrible about what happened on Sept. 11."

As they think and wonder about the events of last week, several students were optimistic that America would become stronger in the face of adversity.

Pine Ridge senior Kevin Kearney said, "If nothing else, the attacks have brought the nation closer together than it has been in years. Americans are bonded by their country now, not their political views, and this new found patriotism is exactly what we, as a nation, need to overcome the obstacles that face us."

Taylor High senior Kimberly Moore had similar feelings: "It amazes me how this country has come together in this time of need. I hope this country shows the world we can't be broken down and we will overcome."

Student reporters Jackie Dean, Allison Smith, Christel Rushins. Tabitha Townsend, Robert Jackson, Jessica Zartler, Christy Brumenschenkel, Melissa Ledoux, Danila Chandia, Elizabeth Ganley and Michael Andrews contributed to this story. The campus page is written by student correspondents from Volusia and Flagler counties, compiled and edited by Rosemary Smith.

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