News
Students Remember Victims of 9/11
Before dawn, last Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, Amelia Academy students placed 2,993 American flags on the front lawn, each representing a life lost in the 9/11 tragedy. Later that morning, students, faculty, parents, and other local citizens held the Academy's second Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. The program was coordinated by the Student Government Organization (SGO). Guests included Powhatan County song writer and vocalist, Jim Carradine. Special recognition was given to Tim Wade, Youth Leader of Jetersville Baptist Church, who provided the sound system for the outdoor ceremony.
Amelia Academy Headmaster James Grizzard noted that most in attendance "remember where we were that day." In opening the ceremony, he asked in prayer for God to "help us never forget those feelings."
In his remarks, SGO President Nathan Condrey said, "It still feels like yesterday. That event showed how we can unite as a country." He later said, "This ceremony is a small reminder that Amelia Academy has not forgotten."
The kindergarten class led those in attendance in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The first grade then gave a solid performance of "My Country Tis of Thee." Then, students Lexi Pemberton (Junior), Rebecca Benson, Jack Owens, Holly Steele (Sophomores) and Holt Morris (8th) sang a rendition of our National Anthem. Sixth-grader Emma Barnard spoke to the crowd about her personal remembrance and feelings on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
The two keynote speakers for the event were faculty members Harley Rakestraw and Malinda Owens. "All over the world the flag is raised. The flag reminds us that we are citizens of the greatest country on earth. We owe a never-ending debt to those who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom," Mr. Rakestraw said during his speech. Ms. Owens echoed his sentiment when she said, "2,993 is not just a number any more. As of Sept. 11, 2001, it became much more. It represents people who gave the ultimate sacrifice any human can give." She went on to add, "The strength of our nation is in its people."
Carradine performed his original compositions, "Path of Life" and "Remember Them," which was composed especially for the Academy's ceremony.
Mr. Grizzard closed the ceremony by sharing that when he was helping plant the flags in the front lawn he "said a prayer with each flag he planted." Mr. Grizzard told the crowd, "We've got to keep trying. If we don't try, we can't do and if we don't do why are we here?" He then said to the students, "You are the strength of America."
Contact:
Jennifer Faeth
Amelia Academy
(804) 561-2270
jennfaeth@aol.com