93 Cents for Flight 93′s student leadership has been above and beyond. In August 2011, The HALO Foundation hosted a four day retreat for student leaders in High School and a one day retreat for students in Middle School. LEADR (Leadership Education and Development Retreat) taught students the principles of leadership, walked them through the creation of a fundraising program, and allowed students to better prepare for college, work, and life. Students were fortunate to have many guest speakers including, The University of Akron’s Men’s Basketball head coach, Keith Dambrot, Former Tennessee Titan’s Coach, Les Steckel, and family members of the heroes of Flight 93 including David Beamer, father of hero Todd Beamer. Camp YNoah welcomed the student leaders one day of the retreat where they all participated in a low ropes course. This helped build teamwork and worked on all the student’ leadership skills. They also took on a day long project called, “The Project”. Students were given a task to brainstorm and plan a program to start in their schools or an event to hold with their community to help raise awareness about Flight 93 and raise funds for Flight 93 Memorial. The Second Annual LEADR retreat will be held in late July 2012. More information to come!
93 cents Elsewhere
Erika Ghazoul is a student leader for our “93 cents for Flight 93″ campaign. After having the opportunity to attend the 2011 memorial service, Erika wrote the following for her school’s newspaper. She is a part of Norwalk High School’s class of 2011.
As you look across the peaceful landscape of a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania it’s hard to imagine anything catastrophic having ever occurred there. A lone flag in the distance is your only reminder of a tragedy that took place not so long ago.
On September 11, 2010, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a memorial service for the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks. Because I am a student leader in the organization “93 cents for Flight 93,” I was asked to come to interview those in attendance about their thoughts of the ceremony that day as well as the memorial soon to be built on the site. The first part of the ceremony included a reading of the names of the passengers and crew of Flight 93 as bells were rung in their memory; speeches by former first lady Laura Bush and first lady Michelle Obama; and a speech by the president of the Families of Flight 93, Gordon Felt, whose brother died in the crash.
After the ceremony had concluded, the families of Flight 93 were invited to view the crash site and future home of its memorial structure.
As we started interviewing those around us, including the Flight 93 families, I noticed a repeating pattern: let these heroes set an example for future generations. By simply saying “No” and reacting to an injustice, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 prevented the loss of possibly thousands of lives. The families want to show my age group that their loved ones made a huge sacrifice for the goodof their countrymen, but normal people can do the same thing in their everyday lives.
Heroes are made every day, and I think Todd Beamer summed it up perfectly in what he said right before he and the other passengers and crew of Flight 93 fought the terrorists on the plane: “Let’s roll.”
We recently arrived at our office to a devastating surprise. A thief had broken in to our office in downtown Akron and stolen several items from a recent auction. Among the stolen items was cash, jewlery, credit cards, a basketball signed by Lebron James, and a football signed by Jerome Bettis.
Seven silver medallions were also stolen. These “priceless” medallions were minted in a small quantity and 53 were given to family members of the heroes of Flight 93. The thief stole the seven remaining silver coins.
We are urging anyone with information about the break-in or stolen objects to call Akron Police at (330) 375-2658.
On Monday, October 18, we had a special event at Union Pines High School in Moore County, NC! We will have more details up soon, but please take a look at the link below to watch a short video showcasing the event at the school.
For the second consecutive year Chardon Middle School has partnered with an Akron based foundation 93 cents for Flight 93 to bring two events to the school and community. The 93 cents for Flight 93 initiative is an official program of The HALO Foundation (Akron, Ohio) and the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign.
Since 2005 6th grade students at Chardon Middle School have visited the temporary memorial to the heroes of Flight 93 at Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This has become part of the school’s annual tour of Hershey, PA which this year will be our 10th visit.
Last June David Beamer, the father of hero Todd, (Let’s Roll!) visited CMS speaking to the sixth grade class as part of an Everyday Heroes program that included the Chardon Police and Fire Departments, Geauga County Sheriff’s Department, VFW Post #6519, the Ladies’ Auxiliary, and city and county leaders. David also spoke to the community @ St. Mary’s Banquet Hall.
Students at Chardon Middle School did several fundraisers, including selling flight 93 T shirts, and to date have raised more money than any other school in the USA. Last year the school presented a check for nearly $3,500 at the site.
Both of this year’s events will be held on Saturday, May 15th. The first annual Let’s Roll! Bike, Jog, and Walk will be held at The Geauga Park District’s Mountain Run Station in Chardon. The race begins at 9 A.M. and our goal is to have 40 four person teams to represent the 40 heroes. The course consists of running 1.6 miles and biking 6.8 miles. There is also a family walk after the race. Cost is $40 per team or $15 per individual for the walk. We will be joined this year by two family members: Debby Borza is the mother of youngest hero Deora Bodley and Sandy Felt is the wife of 41 year old engineer Edward.
That evening a community dinner will be held at St. Mary’s Banquet Hall. Doors open at 6PM and 40 Baskets for the 40 Heroes will be raffled. Cost of the dinner is $20 for adults and $15.00 for students. Debby and Sandy will speak to the public. On Monday May 17th both ladies will address students at both Chardon High and Chardon Middle School.
If interested in attending or making a donation, please contact event organizers either Tim Bowens @ ch_bowens@lgca.org or Julie Kenny @ ch_kenny@lgca.org Both can be reached @ 440 285-4062
Northwest Middle School and 93 Cents for Flight 93 are proud to announce:
Flight 93 week at Northwest Middle School.
Monday May 3-Friday May 7
Monday- Announcement, Penny War, and Raffle Begins
Tuesday-Candy Bars Sold. Raffle and Penny War Continues
Wednesday-Basketball Contest. Raffle and Penny War continues
Thursday-Bake sale. Raffle and Penny war continues.
Friday-Assembly, winners of the Raffle and Penny war announced
On September 10, 2009, the HALO Foundation and MACtac teamed up to officially launch the school program. Please click the link below to learn about our partnership with MacTac.
