The walk started as a way of teaching the 4th and 5th graders a little about 9-11 and what happened that day and how they can honor the first responders who raced up the stairs of the World Trade Center buildings to try and rescue people Sept. 11, 2001.
“They (first responders) sacrificed their lives trying to help others,” said fifth-grader Olivia Stockwell. “We’re trying to go up one step for each person who died.”
Teacher Nikki Witt started the challenge a few years ago with just her class. She, along with other teachers, some parents and even grandparents, joined in the walk Friday in Bob White Stadium. Information provided to students in Witt’s class read, “On September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers of New York were attacked, the city’s first responders did just what they are trained to do. They responded. For some, this meant climbing 110 flights of stairs to rescue people at the top level of the buildings. This was 2,200 steps!”
While students were not expected to reach 2,200 stair steps, they were encouraged to go for a more realistic goal that also had a special meaning. Students were also told of the total of 413 first responders who died - 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS personnel. Students were encouraged to try to walk 413 stairs - one stair for each first responder who died.
Many students carried a small picture of one of the first responders who died during 9-11. For some, it reminded them of why they were doing the stair challenge and gave them motivation to keep going.
Fifth-grader Audri Staley said it was tiring and hard to climb all the steps, but it made her feel good at the same time. “Today we’re honoring and remembering all of them.”
SkyLynne Matice and Aubrey Walsh, both fifth-graders, said the challenge made them feel good. “We remember that they were there trying to help people,” said Matice.
Colin McKay said doing the walk helped him think about the first responders. “They sacrificed their lives.”
Teacher Teresa Michalski said it’s important that students understand what happened on this day. “It’s good for them to understand and know what our first responders do every day to risk their own lives to help others.”
Students counted off each step up and down across the bleachers in Bob White Stadium. “90, 91, 92, 93…” In the end, the number of steps taken wasn't what mattered most - it was understanding what every step meant.