WOODBURY — This September marked the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a society-altering event on American lives. The attacks shaped and bonded communities everywhere in the country, unifying the nation and creating a sense of togetherness. Even our very own community at Nonnewaug and through the towns of Woodbury and Bethlehem were changed forever.  

Physical education and wellness teacher Kathryn Brenner was a teacher at Nonnewaug on the day of the attacks.

“I was with a class outside on the fields when it happened,” Brenner recalls. “I came back up to the school and a colleague told me what was going on.” 

English teacher Jessica McKay was a student here at NHS when the attacks occurred. She recalls announcements made over the loudspeakers when the first and second towers were hit.

According to McKay, teachers turned on the televisions and students watched live reports on the attacks from their classrooms. 

“Because we didn’t have anything happen like that before, [the teachers] didn’t know how to handle it,” McKay said.

Later in the week, seniors held a memorial assembly for the attacks instead of hosting the typical Senior Field Day. 

Brenner and McKay both felt a sense of connection within the Nonnewaug community in weeks after the attacks. 

“After the attacks and reality set in, the school community really bonded together,” Brenner said. “There was a sense of kindness and support all around.  The relationships with everyone were calming.” 

McKay also recognized a sense of kindness among her peers.

“We were very divided and a cliquey kind of crew, but after 9/11 we were all united,” McKay said. “We were all just kinder to one another.”

Amongst all the support, there was also a depressing, somber feeling hanging in the air.

“It was like our innocence had kind of been taken away,” McKay said. “Like, the veil was just gone. It was just very somber and different.”