Students of CTEC laced up their shoes for the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, an event held to honor the first responders who gave their lives during the World Trade Center attacks. Participants included students from Fire Technology, Law Enforcement, Logistics and Distribution, Sports Medicine, and Digital Marketing, along with CTEC staff and local first responders.
The climb was held at Independence High School’s football stadium, where the bleachers served as a symbolic stand-in for the Twin Towers. Students began the event by receiving the name and role of a first responder who served on 9/11. Carrying that name with them, they completed six laps up and down the bleachers, reflecting on the sacrifices made that day.
At the end of their climb, each student rang a bell and announced the name of their assigned hero aloud, ensuring their memory was honored and carried forward. The moment created a powerful atmosphere of respect, empathy, and unity, as the voices of students echoed across the field.
The event’s purpose was not only to provide a physical challenge but also to help younger generations connect with the significance of 9/11 in a personal way. As student Emma Stephens reflected, “I think this event is a way for younger generations like mine who didn’t live through this tragedy to remember the people who put their life in danger to save others from it.”
This kind of event turns history into action. It’s one thing to learn about 9/11 in a textbook, it’s another to feel it in your legs, lungs, and heart.