By Rabita Aziz (September 11, 2002) 

The entire staff and student body of George Mason High School remembered the tragedies of September 11 today at a memorable and touching assembly, which brought tears to the eyes of many students and teachers. 

The assembly, directed by drama teacher Mr. Frank Marino, opened with a heartfelt speech by principal Bob Snee who said, "September 11^th is a date we’ve come to dread in the past year and it is upon us again for the first time since barbarous acts of brutal proportions were visited upon our country in 2001. The day is still heavy with the unspeakable horrors we witnessed." Click here for full text of Mr. Snee's speech. 

Snee called on the students to look out for each other. "George Mason High School is a strong, caring and supportive community. In difficult and trying times we have found that summoning our strength and support was the best thing we could do. Such was the case a year ago and such is likely to be the case today as we mark this anniversary and move forward to tomorrow," said Snee. 

Following Snee’s speech, Ms. Betty Pitera, library secretary, sang the National Anthem with obvious passion and the students and staff sang along with her. 

With solemn expressions, seniors Kate O’Hara and Juan-Miguel Gonzalez read "The Gettysburg Address." Then junior Joseph Mauro teamed with Ms. Anne Sommers to sing "Amazing Grace." Ms. Sommers, a staff member in the school system’s special education program, is a member of The Washington Opera Company. 

Juniors Christina Heupel, Mary Ryan, Arya Namboodiri, Anne Wanlund and Greg Corbino read selections from Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s "Four Freedoms" as band instructor Mary Jo Webster played "America the Beautiful" in the background. 

A slide show on freedom, put together by art teacher John Ballou and his students to the tune ""Freedom" by Paul McCartney, reminded students of the September 11, 2001, attacks and the courage shown by so many. 
 

Joseph Mauro and Ms. Anne Sommers	Christina Heupel and Mary Ryan
Anne Wanlund, Arya Namboodiri and Greg Corbino

As each of the performers came out on stage, they lit one of four candles representing the attacks on New York, Washington, and in Pennsylvania. 

The assembly was the first, and possibly last, one to host the entire student body. The school’s enrollment has grown so much that most assemblies will be held twice with half of the school’s population in attendance at each. "We felt that this assembly was so important to show our unity, that we determined that we should have all the students together in one place," said assistant principal Tim Guy.