Blake Sophomores Mark September 11 Anniversary
with Service and Reflection
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Blake's sophomores were just 10 years old when the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred. This September 11 the class of 2009 commemorated the fifth anniversary of that tragic day by participating in various community service projects and reflecting on the role they can play in creating peace in the world.
The morning included a powerful slide show presentation by Upper School service learning coordinator Scott Flemming, and Stefano LoVerso of Vail Place, an adult rehabilitative mental health services agency where some of the tenth graders volunteered later in the morning, spoke with students. Then just before heading off to their service activities, Blake alumnus Erik Aamoth '90 shared a heartfelt tribute to his brother of Gordy Aamoth Jr., a 1988 Blake alumnus who was killed while working in the south tower of the World Trade Center on September 11.
The rest of the morning was devoted to community service activities at agencies such as Second Harvest, Avenues for Homeless Youth, Vail Project, Bridging, Inc, and Goodwill. Some groups went to Blake's two Lower School campuses to read to the pre-kindergarteners. After lunch, the entire class worked together cleaning up Spring Park, located across Kenwood Parkway from Blake's Upper School.
The day concluded with a presentation by Minneapolis composer Carl Schroeder, a 2005 St. Olaf graduate who was so moved by reading about the youngest 9/11 victim that he wrote an orchestral elegy in her honor in late 2001. He has since formed a cross-country friendship with the child's grandparents in Connecticut. Schroeder spoke briefly with the students and then played the Minnesota Youth Symphony's 2003 recording of "Christine's Lullaby."
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