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The "School for Iqbal" student campaign leaders have learned a great deal about how to help children. Sadly, on September 11, 2001, thousands of U.S. children lost a parent because of the cowardly terrorist attacks that day and since. In response to the terrorists' attacks, the "School for Iqbal" leaders met and met until a decision was made. How would the campaign leaders respond to terrorism? The students decided to remember what they learned after Iqbal Masih's murder. They remembered a bullet or a highjacked jet cannot kill a dream. The "School for Iqbal" Kids' Campaign Leaders decided NOT to be silenced by the violence of September 11th. Instead the kids decided to take action. The kids decided to organize A "Kids' Fair" to Benefit the thousands of Child Victims of the September 11th Attacks on America. People of all ages united in Quincy to attend the "November 3rd Kids' Fair to Benefit the Children Victims of September 11th." Broad Meadows Middle School students, past and present and future, initiated and executed a Kids' Fair that succeeded in raising thousands of dollars for child victims of September 11th. At an emotional, student written ceremony held in the middle of The Fair, students tearfully remembered the September 11th victims while pledging to donate all of The Fair's funds for the future education, housing and mental health of the thousands of children orphaned because of the attacks. (photos and actual words of the ceremony, all student written, follow this update) The students thanked their honored guests, representatives of the U.S. Marines Corps, Navy Reserves, Quincy Police, Fire and Emergency Rescue, for protecting Quincy's freedom and safety every minute of every day, silently, faithfully. Condolences were then expressed to flight attendants in attendance from American Airlines and United Airlines who not only were honored guests, but were also co-workers and friends of the crews whose planes were hijacked and crashed into the Twin Towers on September 11th. During the ceremony, honored guests were presented student written letters of condolences or letters of thanks. Student presenters were: Genevieve Humez-Rousseau; Jackie Sullivan; Laura Bloomer; Alex Miner; Jonathan Conso; Maria McNulty; and Lilian Sticco. Their speeches were written in voluntary after school meetings. Then the HONORED GUESTS spoke from their hearts. Nancy Halpin, flight attendant from United Airlines, tried to speak first. She quickly was overcome by grief and gratitude and dissolved in tears at the podium. Many cried with her, for her, for all the innocent people murdered by those cowardly terrorists. Nancy somehow found the strength to deliver a tear stained speech in which she thanked The Kids' Fair for remembering the flight attendants and crew members killed on two United Airlines flights. Nancy said, "The United Airlines crew members killed on September 11th left behind many children. Those children are devastated, but they will survive thanks to the help and generosity of people like you." She was comforted by Noreen Hayes, Airline Ambassadors' flight attendant from American Airlines. They embraced, then cried together for their flight crew sisters and brothers murdered by the cowardly terrorists. Other speakers followed the example of the students and spoke straight from their hearts also. Mayor James A. Sheets faced the student organizers and said, "The future of Quincy is in good hands." Quincy firefighters, represented by Gary Patten said firefighters have never felt more appreciated. "People wave to us whenever they see us go down the street." Quincy Police Captain Crowley reassured the students saying, " We will defeat terrorism. Have no doubt about that." Mr. Siciliano of Quincy Emergency Rescue Services felt overwhelmed by the unity and gratitude for those who protect the Quincy community. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines Corps representatives were presented certificates of thanks for : "Protecting America's freedom and democracy every hour of every day, sometimes silently, often invisibly, always faithfully." The Meadows' kids surpassed their original goal of raising one thousand dollars to help educate , provide psychological counseling and housing for American orphans of terrorism. When the last penny was counted at 4:30 P.M. Saturday, the organizers paid off all its bills like rental of hot dog steamer, Moonwalk, snow cone machine and had $3,142 for the child victims of the terrorist attacks.
The Kids' Fair organizers will deliver the donations in person to representatives of:
Students also raised $38 for President Bush's Afghan Children's Fund. Numerous prizes were won at The Kids' Fair. The most sought after prizes included Quincy restaurant gift certificates, Reebok Human Rights NOW! sportswear, hotel vacation packages, museum passes, and sports memorablia signed by hockey legend Ray Bourque, World Cup and Boston Breakers' star Christine Lilly, Celtics' Number One Draft Choice Joe Johnson, Drew Bledsoe and numerous Red Sox. To get such great prizes, a team of three students wrote to over a hundred local businesses seeking donations. The response was overwhelming. The three students are Tom Keefe, Laura Bloomer and Jackie Sullivan, all Broad Meadows grade 7 students. Over forty other students managed to secure great prizes, also. Hundreds of people came to The Kids' Fair, including students and teachers from many schools including volunteers from Quincy and North Quincy High Schools, the Principal at Atherton Hough, Snug Harbor teachers, and volunteer custodians like Mr. Guppy. Parents, sisters, brothers, friends, grandparents, neighbors, the business community, the Mayor and several City Councilors attended. Supervision and encouragement was provided by the Broad Meadows' PTO and teachers. It rained, but nothing could prevent such a team from succeeding in reminding the community that thousands of children are fatherless and motherless because of the September 11th tragedies. With teacher, peer and parent help, students succeeded in creating a way for the community to DO SOMETHING to help to help those children. People who lived through the 1940's remember with pride and patriotism how they responded then to the attack on Pearl Harbor. So many deserve thanks for helping make possible our November 3, 2001, response to the September 11th attacks on America. November 3rd was a Red, White & Blue day for the Broad Meadows community, for Massachusetts and for the United States. Here are the actual presentations made during the ceremony held in the middle of the November 3rd Kids' Fair. The presentations were made to those who lost so much on September 11th and to those who protect our safety and freedom every hour of every day. |
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On behalf of grateful Broad Meadows Middle School students, we offer our sincerest THANKS to the teachers at Broad Meadows for helping us on September 11th and every day since then. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "Why don't we give an award to our school I said one day in class? All the teachers have given all of us kids so much support since September 11th. Teachers have told me if I ever needed someone to talk to, I could come to them. Our school has always held our heads up high. We should continue to show that pride to ourselves on November 3rd."
Katie , grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer our condolences on the shocking losses your crew mates suffered at the hands of terrorists on September 11th. We are so sorry. American Airlines' Airline Ambassadors have made numerous humanitarian flights to help children in need in Developing countries. We were honored to work with you to aid children victims of war in El Salvador. Please accept our sincerest THANKS for being guardian angels to so many children all over the world. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "In a time of grief and sorrow, everyone has united and pulled together to help, by volunteering or getting in line to donate to the injured in the tragedy of yesterday's horror, in hopes that it will lead to tomorrow's healing."
Christine, grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the United Airlines, our deepest condolences on your devastating loss on September 11th. We also want to offer our sincerest THANKS for giving our freedom wings. We are free to fly on the wings of our imagination. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. Around my city, everyone who could get their hands on a flag has hung them on their flagpoles with American pride in their hearts. We won't let a group of terrorists bring us down ; they just brought us closer together. I am going to admit that I wasn't very patriotic before this incident happened, but now , after it did happen, I got my hands on a flag. I was proud to fly it high where everyone can see it. If someone were to come up to me and ask me if I was proud to be an American, I would, no doubt about it, without any hesitation, say , "YES !"
Jackie , grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the United States Naval Reserves, our sincerest THANKS for protecting our freedom and democracy silently, faithfully, every minute of every day of every year. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "People who are helping us are the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and the National Guard. The Reserves will have to give up their normal, everyday lives and families for our freedom. My uncle is in the Reserves, and he really loves it. At any time he could get called up and told where to go. He would just say goodbye and go, hoping to return, but if he didn't he knows it would be for the freedom of our country. Sometimes, I feel useless, but my school is helping the children who lost parents. I'm going to help as much as I can."
Maria , grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the Quincy Interfaith Community, our sincerest THANKS for being there every time we call, ask or write. We've asked a lot since September 11th. Your prayers help protect us. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "People are looking at the world at a different angle. Instead of themselves being first, they are putting others in front of them. Everyone seems to be coming together even though some people are left motherless or fatherless, or without a brother or sister. Are we safe ? Is there going to be a war ? What's next ? Kids are scared and confused. No one knows how things are going to turn out, but we do know that there's a long way ahead of us. The people of America now know that if everyone joins together, no matter what race or religion, culture or creed, you will find that we are all a part of a special family, Ôthe family of America.'"
Laura , grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the Quincy Emergency Rescue Services, our sincerest THANKS for being there to help people of all ages every time they call, ask or write. Our lives are safer because of you. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "Because of September 11th, Massachusetts was affected in many ways. People now are much more concerned about public safety, are more aware of world events, and are giving more to charity. A tragedy occurred on September 11th, but we are now moving beyond tragedy. The quote "tragedy" is not what we should say now ; it should read "healing and hope." It should read that because we, as a country, are healing. We are rebuilding New York and helping people who lost loved ones. We are flying our flags to show unity. While we are healing, our country is taking action. When we are done, for the terrorists in Afghanistan there will be "tragedy."
Alex, grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the Quincy Emergency Rescue Services, our sincerest THANKS for being there to help people of all ages every time they call, ask or write. Our lives are safer because of you. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "I have noticed changes within myself since September 11th. I don't take my family for granted anymore. Before, I thought everyone has parents. They're here to drive you places and get you things you want. Now I know so many kids won't have moms and dads and they will be deeply hurt. I know that if I lost my mom or dad I would be really sad for a long time. I may look the same and dress the same, but inside I am a whole new person."
Lilian, grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the United States Air Force, our sincerest THANKS for helping to protect our freedom every day, silently, faithfully. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "After the terrible tragedy of September 11th, people have been showing their patriotism. People have become very helpful. My family has changed, too. We have been hanging our flag and are watching it wave. We also hung up a United States Air Force flag for my brother Tom. He is in the Air Force. We also pray for him as much as we can. My friends and I made red, white and blue ribbons for today's fair. I am also going to write letters to firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who help us during this terrible time."
Emily, grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the United States Marine Corps, our sincerest THANKS for protecting our freedom and democracy every hour of every day. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. I had no idea September 11th would happen. I was just going on with my life not knowing someone so cruel could do such a thing. Once I heard about the terrorist attacks, it got me mad. The New York Times says up to 15,000 boys and girls are now without a mother or father. I think that's the worst thing you can do to a child. People are in fear. When you see our flag, be proud of who you are, and if you cut my arm open, I'll bleed American.
Jon, grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to firefighters of the Fire Department our deepest condolences on your devastating losses suffered by your firefighting brothers and sisters on September 11th. We also want to offer our sincerest THANKS for protecting our safety every minute of every day of every year. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "My dad is a firefighter. I thought, 'What if my dad was ever in that Twin Tower building?' I never knew how courageous firefighters are. It must be hard running up stairs while people are running down. Firefighters never know if a building is going to collapse or not. A firefighter has a job that might give up your own life for the sake of another's life. My dad loves being a firefighter."
Maria, grade 7 student On behalf of a grateful Broad Meadows Middle School community, we offer to the Police Department, our deepest condolences on the tremendous losses suffered by your police sisters and brothers on September 11th. Please accept our sincerest THANKS for being there to help people of all ages every time they call, ask or write. Our lives are safer because of you. You stand with us in time of need. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A. "I am upset because all those people in the Twin Towers and Pentagon are dead for no reason. Now I pray every night instead of every other night. The truth is I am angry and I will probably stay angry until they catch who did this cruel attack. I know that in this time of grief, we are still one of the strongest countries. All of the firemen, policemen, EMT's are our true heroes. All I can say is God bless Americans."
Kelly , grade 7 student |
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 American Airlines flight attendants and United Airlines Flight Attendants were honored guests at "The Kids' Fair." A solemn moment of remembrance in memory of the four flight crews and all passengers killed September 11th by the hijackers. The ceremony was held in the Broad Meadows Middle School cafeteria by the kids and the community. The flight crew victims and passenger victims left behind many, many children. |
 American Airlines flight attendants Cassie and Noreen tearfully accept the school's sincerest condolences on the devastating losses of co-workers who were hijacked and murdered by cowardly terrorists on September 11th. 7th grade student Christine (wearing the head scarf) presented to Cassie and Noreen a certificate which read in part: "... American Airlines' Airline Ambassadors have made numerous humanitarian flights to help children in need in developing countries. We were honored to w; but this time it's for American children who are victims of a terrorists' war. Please accept our sincerest THANKS for being guardian angels to so many children all over the world. Thank you and God bless the U.S.A." |
 Representatives from the firefighters, police, military, student body and the airline industry gather for a ceremony of remembrance in the school cafeteria on November 3rd, 2001. |
 Three of the Broad Meadows Middle School students who initiated the November 3rd Kids' Fair stand proudly in front of Old Glory. |
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