Mrs. Fitzpatrick was my 4th grade teacher. She made us write a “current events” article every morning, where we’d have to pick a topic of the day from 3 headlines she’d write on the whiteboard.
This was my favorite morning activity. Using my creative power to tell a story in my own words about what was going on in the world.
As a 4th grader, I was an avid reader and writer (in both Spanish and English), I got that from my mom.
I remember Mrs. Fitzpatrick wrote just one headline on September 11th, 2001, about the twin towers in NYC being attacked. I had just watched the entire thing unfold on the morning news while we were getting ready for school. I was in SoCal so by my 8am class start time it was already everywhere and all anyone could talk about.
I wish I had my article from that day. Something about not understanding entirely what it all meant but we knew it would change history forever. Trying to figure out the political jargon of it all before I fully understood how government and businesses work.
25 years later, I live close enough to ground zero that I could see the memorial lights of the towers from my attic. I’m pursuing journalism at NYU as I write for my own publication, where I tell stories about the businesses and happenings going on in Midtown.
9/11 impacted millions, from all corners of the country and world. Many of my friends, colleagues and family members have their own stories of that day. They’re shocking and had a lasting impact on their lives today.
For me, it became the purpose behind pursuing writing and coming to the East Coast to build community with some of the most resilient people of our times. 4th grade Jamie would have never believed it.