By J1 Reporter Sophia Camp

For Aleecia Cotton, Sept. 11, 2001 began like an ordinary school day at Marian High School. As a ninth grader sitting in Spanish I, she had no idea that the events unfolding across the country would change the way she viewed the world.

Cotton remembers the shock that spread through the school after the attacks. As a freshman, she and her classmates did not fully understand what was happening. However, they could tell something was seriously wrong by the reactions of their teachers. “Everyone was worried, especially because the teachers seemed upset,” Cotton recalled.

The attacks became even more personal as students worried about loved ones. Some of Cotton’s classmates had family members working at Offutt in the Air Force while others had parents who were traveling by plane. The uncertainty left many students concerned about whether their families were safe. Cotton’s own family was also connected to the response in New York. Her uncle was an EMT and volunteer firefighter on Long Island. After the attacks he went to ground zero in New York to help search for people who were missing or affected by the disaster.

In the 25 years since 9/11, Cotton says the world has changed in the ways that can still be felt today. She has become more aware of the potential dangers associated with large public spaces. She explained that she cannot attend a concert or large event without thinking about the possibility that it could become a target for terrorism.

Despite the tragedy, Cotton remembers one positive part of the aftermath: the sense of patriotism and togetherness that followed. She recalls people being more patient and kind towards one another, recognizing that everyone could be dealing with something difficult. For Cotton, that is one reason young people should continue learning about Sept. 11. Understanding the event is not only about remembering what happened, but also recognizing how it affected people’s attitudes toward one another and changed the way Americans view their safety and community.

More than two decades later, Cotton’s memories of being a ninth grader Marian show how a major historical event can affect people both personally and collectively and why its impact continues to be remembered today.