The high school student council at Imagine Prep Surprise hosted a rally around the flag event the morning of Friday, Sept. 9.

This event was a chance to share, reflect and commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Newly elected Surprise City Council member Nick Haney was in attendance to give a keynote address to students and staff. Haney, a Glendale firefighter and paramedic shared his thoughts and perspective on the day.

In addition to the rally around the flag event, high school students were addressed by Joseph Lutrario, a former New York City police officer who was at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Lutrario and his partner helped evacuate children from a daycare in the north tower before it fell. They were inside the south tower when it came down.

Lutrario delivered his message to a gymnasium full of students and left them with one lasting statement. Lutrario encouraged students to ‘be the light,’ and to see the silver lining in everything.

Hearing Lutrario’s first hand experience of what the days and weeks following the attacks of Sept. 11 were like proved inspiring to students.

Imagine Prep Surprise Principal Chris McComb shared the importance of the next generation learning about and paying tribute to the lives lost on that day.

“Most adults will vividly remember the events surrounding the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but 21 years later, none of our students experienced this horrific event,” McComb said. “As educators, we have a responsibility to ensure that our next generation of Americans remember the lives lost and those who helped to pick up the pieces in its aftermath.”

Imagine Prep is grateful and honored to host both Councilman Haney and Officer Lutrario for sharing their time and experiences with our students and staff,” McComb said.