Yosemite High School

Day of Prayer

Students lined the entire quarter-mile track at Yosemite High School Friday as part of the president’s Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Twelve hundred teen-agers stood in total silence at noon Friday, September 14, around the track at Yosemite High School.

The students joined with others throughout the country for the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001 proclaimed by President George W. Bush.

As the students stood with the school’s staff the only sounds were the rustling of flags and leaves as a gentle breeze blew.

YHS Principal Steve Raupp read a portion of the president’s proclamation and teacher Bob Collins spoke a few words before inviting the students to join him in a moment of silence during which time each student contemplated the events of September 11 in the student’s own way.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the students were excused for lunch.

All weekend events at the school were cancelled, including the home football game and back-to-school dance.

Following the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania last week, many YHS students and staff members carried flags, wore flag pins or red ribbons. The flags at YHS were lowered to half-staff.

Yosemite High School teacher Carole Calderwood wore a shirt with the American flag and displayed a poster made by students.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin notified school officials last Thursday that the state Department of Education joined “President Bush in a national expression of sympathy.”

Mrs. Eastin noted that the president’s proclamation did not constitute a day upon which a school is required by law to be closed.

In her letter, Mrs. Eastin told school officials “We believe the President is encouraging expressions of sympathy in whatever manner students, teachers, administrators, and other employees choose. As our country pulls back together and we resume normal activities, it would be appropriate to observe a moment of silence during the coming days’ school - sponsored activities.”

Mr. Raupp said the school decided to hold the moment of silence for all students because “we wanted to honor the memory of the thousands of victims of this terrible tragedy and wanted to provide an opportunity for students and staff to express their feelings.

— Earlene Ward