🇺🇸Each year, the Charles D. Owen High School community comes together to remember, honor, and learn through its annual Stampede the Stairs.

This morning, students and faculty were joined by district superintendents, Central Services staff, first responders, and community members to climb more than 2,000 stairs in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

While the climb honors a solemn moment in American history, Stampede the Stairs has also become an uplifting tradition that demonstrates the strength of a community coming together with a shared purpose.

Twelve teams participated in this year’s climb, each carrying a baton representing parts of the events of 9/11. The batons featured the names of the flights, the coordinates of each crash site, as well as references to NYPD and FDNY, giving participants a tangible reminder of the people and places forever connected to that day.

For Owen High students, the event provides an opportunity to learn about the significance of the day beyond the pages of the history book.

Freshman Zoe said “I am glad I had the opportunity to do this. I have a lot of respect for first responders because of the sacrifices they made.”

Step by step, participants encouraged one another throughout the climb. Students walked alongside educators, district leaders, first responders, and neighbors - showing that remembrance can also bring generations together.

Stampede the Stairs continues to be more than an annual tradition at Owen High. It’s a reminder of service, sacrifice and unity - and of what can happen when a community comes together to honor the past while inspiring the next generation to carry its lessons forward.