A gym full of students at Boston Middle School sang the Star Spangled Banner in remembrance of a tragedy none were alive for but one that they now know the magnitude of.
On September 11th, Boston took part in an attempt to break a world record for the most people singing the National Anthem at one time.
Mia Toschi, American Public Education Foundation’s national director for strategic partnerships, founded the September 11th Sing-A-Long to recreate the way Americans came together after the attacks. Schools and groups across the nation signed up to take part. Having ties to La Porte, including her mother formerly working at Boston, Toschi reached out to Principal Deb Carter to see if Boston was interested in joining the event as well.
Not wanting to do the bare minimum, Carter and Boston staff aimed to make it a memorable day and to teach students about the true impact of September 11th and the meaning behind the National Anthem. City and school officials, local news stations, and other media personnel lined the seats as well, solidifying to students that the day was not one to be taken lightly.v “It [9/11] was pretty upsetting. It made me realize what it meant to a lot of people,” MaKayla Robinson, student, said. Mayor Milo gave a rousing speech just before the students and staff set out to break the world record, all while honoring those who lost their lives. She called for the presentation of the flags and led the gymnasium in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
“When the children started singing, it reminded me of the call to prayer at all of the various places I’ve been stationed at overseas,” Milo said.
U.S. History teacher Bonnie DeWolf spent a great deal of time in class prepping her students for the song and making sure they understood why Friday’s event was significant.
“I am so happy for the kids, school, and the community. It’s a really emotional day,” DeWolf said.
Boston should receive word this coming week if the record was broken. If the 250,000 people who signed up all officially took part, then a new record will be set.