Shepard High School students and staff gathered Thursday, Sept. 11, to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks during the school’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony.
The event, held on the school’s football field at 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., marked the 15th year Shepard has hosted the tribute. Organized by the school’s JROTC program, the ceremony brought together cadets, classmates, teachers, and administrators for a day of reflection and remembrance.
Major Dan Johnson, Shepard’s senior aerospace science instructor, said the ceremony has evolved over the years but remains one of the most meaningful traditions at the school.
“Our cadets really look forward to this event each year,” Johnson said. “For most, this may be the only touch point they have to connect with the 9/11 events. For others, they have family stories that have been shared or loved ones who were impacted on that day.”
Under the guidance of Johnson and Master Sgt. Chris Saberniak, between 40 and 50 JROTC cadets from grades nine through 12 participated in this year’s event.
The ceremony began around 8:15 a.m. after students gathered on the football field. The morning opened with the national anthem and a flag presentation, followed by JROTC members reading the names of the 2,983 victims, a list obtained from 911memorial.org.
“This personalizes the tragedy,” Johnson said. “It’s easy to say about 3,000 people were killed that day, but when you listen to the names being read, you realize these were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters who didn’t come home.”
Throughout the day, cadets walked 56 laps around the school’s recently renovated track while names were continuously read, creating a moving tribute of remembrance and unity.
“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” Johnson said. “The cadets play a key role in organizing and carrying out the event. It is great to watch them demonstrate their leadership skills and teamwork. I am very impressed each year with how the cadets connect with and care about this event in our history.”
While Shepard High School has observed the anniversary for more than a decade, Johnson said the JROTC program has taken the lead in recent years, helping students — many of whom were born after 2001 — understand the day’s lasting impact.
“9/11 was a day very similar to today,” Johnson said. “It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. People were waking up, thinking, ‘Today’s going to be a great day,’ and then, in an instant, everything changed.”
Johnson added that the ceremony continues to provide students and staff with an important opportunity to pause, reflect, and honor the heroes and victims of a day that forever changed the nation.
