Despite the inclement weather, a 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony was held at North Shore High School. Inside the Long Island School (LIS) House, a large audience was warmly greeted by Assistant Principal Kevin Kurrus and other administration, faculty and staff. Principal Albert Cousins began the ceremony by reflecting on where he was on this tragic day in 2001. He discussed the importance of this day and emphasized how significant it was to maintain the historic ceremonies especially for the younger students. His speech was followed by the lowering of the flag to half-mast by Assistant Principal Jennifer Imperial and Head Custodian Jerry Boertzel. As the flag was being raised and lowered, a beautiful version of the National Anthem was performed by high school student Cosette Carlomusto.
The ceremony concluded with the tolling of the schoolhouse bell by Robert Coville, SGO President, and the poignant playing of Taps by Daniel Bauer and Ryan Glassman. Additionally, in attendance was Detective Joe Paolillo who warmly reflected on his brother John Paolillo, a firefighter who perished on 9/11, as well as all the brave men and women who will be forever in our hearts.
Both Superintendent Dr. Edward Melnick and Board of Education President Dr. Igor Webb reflected on the events of eight years ago. Dr. Melnick stressed to the students (and everyone in audience), “ The value of constructing buildings like the Long Island Studies (LIS) School House and the new Victorian Television and Recording Studio instead of tearing them down.” Additionally, Dr. Webb reminded us how the words of the North Shore Schools mission statement helped symbolize the sentiment of the day and suggested how our students could move forward. He quoted the mission statement by saying, “Each child's awakening into confident young adulthood requires guided engagement with vital ideas and events of the past to realize fresh possibilities and discoveries for the future.”
