Superintendent Dr. Rich Drolet, at left, and Assistant Superintendent Colleen Terrill, at right, met with a dedicated team of Project 351 Student Ambassadors to plan the District’s “Unite in Remembrance” activities. From left to right, King Philip Regional High School senior Taliah Westbrook, junior Matigan Roach, freshman Caitlyn Johnson, and sophomore Evelyn Miles. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
NORFOLK — Superintendent Dr. Rich Drolet is proud to announce that the King Philip Regional School District will “Unite in Remembrance” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Participating in Project 351’s annual call for unification during a 9/11 Tribute Service, students at King Philip will write personalized thank-you cards to first responders who serve the District’s tri-town community of Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham; create a patriotic rock garden; recognize veterans and first responders at the first home football game of the school year; and hold a district-wide moment of silence.
Superintendent Dr. Drolet has been meeting with Project 351 ambassadors and alumni to plan the District’s “Unite in Remembrance” activities 25 years after the 9/11 attacks, leading King Philip’s planning efforts with Assistant Superintendent Colleen Terrill, King Philip Regional High School Assistant Principal Jillian Poirier, and King Philip Middle School teachers Sean Jones and Lisa McIntyre.
Many students will participate, but the King Philip students leading the activities include Project 351 alumni Taliah Westbrook (Class of 2027), Matigan Roach (Class of 2028), Evelyn Miles (Class of 2029), Isabella Pennini (Class of 2029), Olivia Dempsey (Class of 2030), and Caitlyn Johnson (Class of 2030).
Westbrook also participated in a video tribute titled “Say Their Name,” holding a card bearing the name of John C. Hartz, honoring the 206 people from Massachusetts who were killed in the attacks. According to Project 351 organizers, “Say Their Name” originates from faith traditions and cultural observances that believe each time a loved one’s name is said aloud, their life is honored, and remembered.
King Philip Regional High School senior and Project 351 Alumni Council member Taliah Westbrook (Class of 2027) holds a card bearing the name of John C. Hartz, a tribute that will be featured in the centerpiece of remembrance programming, a “Say Their Name” video honoring the 206 loved ones lost from Massachusetts. (Photo Courtesy Project 351)
King Philip students are working to create an American flag rock garden, featuring the names of the Massachusetts victims of the 9/11 attacks. Red, white, and blue rocks, as well as many smaller American flags, will be placed under the American flag on the high school’s turf field at the first home football game on Sept. 18 (the game on Sept. 11 is away).
The District will pause for an announcement and moment of silence at the beginning of the first home football game, either prior to or following the national anthem. First responders and veterans will be recognized, and students will unveil the rock garden. Game attendees are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue in honor of 9/11 victims, their families and the nation. First responders will also receive free admission to attend the game.
“Although our current students were all born years after that fateful morning, we’ll continue to honor and remember the thousands of lives lost through senseless violence on 9/11,” said Superintendent Dr. Drolet. “These events will pay tribute to those we lost, such as Shawn Nassaney who was one of my high school classmates, and to those who fought hard to save lives and protect the nation.”
Students will also lead a moment of silence at each King Philip school, at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.
“It’s hard to imagine that a quarter-century has passed since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 shocked us all,” said Assistant Superintendent Terrill. “We vowed to never forget, and the events we’ve been planning will help to ensure that we’ve done all we can to honor that promise.”
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King Philip students plant American flags ahead of “Unite in Remembrance” events. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
King Philip students worked on cards for first responders from the tri-town communities — Wrentham, Plainville, and Norfolk. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
King Philip students spray paint rocks for a patriotic rock garden. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
The growing stack of cards at King Philip, created by students for first responders from the tri-town communities — Wrentham, Plainville, and Norfolk. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
Students from schools across Massachusetts gather in Boston behind a rock garden and American flags (similar to the rock garden planned at King Philip Regional High School, set for unveiling at the season’s first home football game on Sept. 18). (Photo Courtesy Project 351)