Fox Cities News

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, exactly 23 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, PA, Communities students at Oshkosh North High School sought to positively impact the Oshkosh community. This initiative was part of the federally-recognized “9/11 Day,” a national day of service and remembrance.

For the sixth consecutive year, junior and senior Communities students participated in this event to honor those affected by the 9/11 tragedy and promote service, unity, and peace. Leading up to the anniversary, students learned about the history of 9/11 and its lasting global impact. They also had a video call with Jay Winuk—co-founder of 9/11 Day—who lost his brother Glenn Winuk in the attack. During this call, students discussed transforming a day of tragedy into "a day of doing good."

I’Yari Walton, a senior Communities student at Oshkosh North High School, commented on the significance of their efforts: “I think being a source of positivity on a historically sad day brings us back to the unity that was happening on and after nine-eleven,” Walton said. “On nine-eleven, we weren’t a red or blue state; we were just the United States.”

This year’s day of service saw students collaborating with various local organizations including the Oshkosh City Parks Department, Christine Ann Center Domestic Abuse Service, Oshkosh Humane Society, Father Carr's Place 2B, and Winnebago County Parks Department. Students engaged in tasks such as yard work, cleaning buildings inside and out, spreading wood chips, moving furniture, and garden construction projects.

“It was a tremendous day for so many reasons. We served five local organizations and had volunteers from Mrs. Pruss’s and Mrs. Waid’s classes join us as well,” reflected Rick Leib, Communities social studies teacher. “Our Communities staff is very proud of our juniors and seniors. They upheld the standard of this important day with hard work, passion, and by working together.”

The school expressed pride in seeing their students apply classroom lessons to make tangible differences in their community: "Their actions prove that even in the face of darkness we can create light," an official statement read.

Communities is an interdisciplinary program at Oshkosh North High School that offers project-based learning opportunities through community engagement. It aims to teach English, social studies, leadership content and skills by involving students in real-world problems alongside businesses and organizations.