NEWS & EVENTS

Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

 9/11/2026

Teresa Martinez | Director of Communications

Belen Jesuit joins the country in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Social Studies Department led the schoolwide initiative. Teachers prepared special lessons for all grades on September 10th and 11th.

"It is our mission as teachers of history to help our students learn the events that shaped, not just the history of 300 or 3,000 years ago, but also the history of our lifetimes,” said Juan Vázquez, Jr., ’92, Social Studies Chairperson. “We strive to help them see how the events of one day changed the history of the planet since. And may we never forget."

  • In 6th-grade World Geography, students collaborated in small groups to explore and analyze primary source audio, images, and documents on the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Interactive Timeline. Students then completed a 9/11 Case Study on how Jesuit Universities across the United States responded to the events of 9/11.
  • In 7th-grade U.S. History, students watched videos and discussed what happened on 9/11. They also made prayer cards to share with their families.
  • In 8th-grade Civics, students learned about the events by visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Interactive Timeline.
  • In 9th-grade Advanced World History, students visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s interactive timeline and explored how and why events unfolded.
  • In 10th-grade U.S. History, students heard President Bush’s 9/11 Oval Office address to the nation and answered questions.
  • In 11th-grade U.S. Government, AP Capstone classes, AP Human Geography and Legal Systems and Concepts, students examined the Patriot Act and government surveillance under the Fourth Amendment, using key Supreme Court cases to debate the balance between national security and individual privacy.
  • In 12th-grade Latin American History, Economics and Innovation and Design classes, students discussed 9/11’s impact on the demand for airplane tickets, tourism, etc., which in turn affected aggregate spending (GDP). They also discussed how the structure and cost of air travel changed.
  • The Social Studies Honor Society, Rho Kappa, hosted a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in honor of those who climbed and those who did not come down.

“At Belen we teach our students to live the Magis for the greater Glory of God,” said Jassenia Vázquez, Social Studies Assistant Department Chair. “Providing our boys with examples and experiences of the real-life accounts of those who have been able to live the Magis, especially in moments of tragedy/loss such as 9/11, gives them the opportunity to reflect on the mission and purpose God is calling them to.” 
    
Additionally, a moment of silence was observed schoolwide; moments of reflection were held in various classes and prayers were offered for all the victims and their families. Click here to see the photo album.