Hobart and William Smith Colleges

22 September 2008 HWS Remembers September 11

More than 100 students gathered on the Quad last Thursday evening to honor the lives lost in the attacks on September 11.

With the help of Student Activities and Chaplain Lesley Adams, Maggie Jaffe 11 organized the commemorative ceremony.

I decided I wanted to do something to remember those who lost their lives on that day, says Jaffe.

On the morning of September 11, 2001 as part of a school-sponsored five-day reenactment of Henry Hudsons exploration of the river eventually named for him, Jaffe was aboard a life-sized replica of Hudsons ship, the Half Moon, in New York Harbor.

At the ceremony, Chaplain Adams said a few words, and Jaffe spoke about what she saw from the harbor. The students present were given candles, which they lit while Jaffe delivered her speech. A moment of silence was observed, after which those present were invited to approach the microphone and share their thoughts.

In a world where its so easy to focus on our differences, its a special time when we can all come together as one, Jaffe said in her speech. I organized this event because I wanted to give our campus a chance to do just that. Despite our differences, we, together, make the Hobart and William Smith family. This is something powerful and impenetrable. No one can take this away from us.

Jaffe, who is enrolled in the education program, says she will continue organizing the ceremony next year. Its important that its done-and that people attend the event. This year, there were more than last year. Hopefully next year there will be even more.