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The Talon Editor-in-Chief: Alexis White
Associate Editor: Emily Beck Copy Editor: Olivia Moses News Editor: Lauren Bishop Photo Editor: Sarah Faust Of The Talon staff: Phoenix Alvarado Luke Cather Isabella Eslick Kaitlyn Higgins Kennedy Lawrence Sophie Pupillo Devon Robinson Charlie Walters Kaelyn Wondell Adviser: Clay Zigler The Talon welcomes letters to the editor, but because of space limitations, we request that they be no more than 250 words. All letters must be signed, but The Talon will withhold names upon request. The Talon has the right to accept, reject or edit any letter at any time and will not run personal attacks. Nonbylined editorials are the opinion held by The Talon staff, but are not necessarily the opinion of the adviser or administrators. The Talon provides an open forum for students and staff and strives to present news in a non-bias, timely fashion. Guest commentaries are the opinion of the writer and not the opinion held by The Talon staff, adviser, or administrators. The Talon reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any guest commentaries. Any Rockwood Summit staff members are eligible to submit a guest commentary. A guest commentary must be educational in nature. The Talon will not run personal attacks, rants, or non-academic pieces. The Talon has the right to accept, reject, edit, or cancel any advertisement at any time. Advertising rates are $5 per column inch. Ads which the staff accepts are not an endorsement from the paper, the staff, the adviser, the administration, or the Rockwood School District. The Talon is published eight times a year at Rockwood Summit High School. 1780 Hawkins Rd. Fenton, MO 63026 PHONE: 636-891-6800 FAX: 636-891-8817
theTALON
Friday, Sept. 23, 2016
Remember,. become better . T
he events of Sept. 11, 2001 are simply stories to high school students. Freshmen today were born after the event that defined the previous generation. However, the social and political repercussions of 9/11 continue to impact people. The tragedy of that day cannot be forgotten, but that is no excuse to demean other cultures and societies. President John F. Kennedy’s assassination impacted the Baby Boomers, the fall of the Berlin Wall influenced Generation X, and 9/11 shaped Millennials. Generation Z, high schoolers today, do not seem to have experienced an event that can pull a group together like other generations experienced. However, if and when something does
Editorial
happen, reactions based in hatred cannot define this generation. In 2015, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported there were 892 active hate groups in the U.S. This climbed from 676 in 2001. The Center said the overall rise of these groups occurred after President Obama was elected in 2008. However, just in the past two years, there was a 14 percent increase in all hate groups. In Missouri, St. Louis is an epicenter for hate groups, hosting seven of the 22 total groups the Center reported in the state.
Keeping an open mind, looking at all points of view in an issue and not making assumptions are small steps that all can take when reacting to not only horrible events, but other cultures and viewpoints and opinions. Agreement is not necessary in any of these cases, but understanding will allow people to work better together. In reprinting the edition of The Talon that reported on 9/11, students can see why this tragedy was so impactful. It’s a reminder that some in the world have immense disgust for the U.S. It’s a reminder that the past heavily influences the present. It’s a reminder that students who will soon be released into the real world will soon start shaping it, and they must look back to move forward.
From the archives: Editorials published in response to Sept. 11 Tragedy will not stop U.S.
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n September 11, life for all Americans changed, as the world knew it. Not only did the terrorist attack effect America as a whole, but individual lives were also shattered as a result of these heinous acts. This tragedy will test American citizens’ commitment to civil liberty and have a great impact on our nation and on President George W. Bush. America is the most powerful nation in the world. Because of this attitude that American citizens and the government have about the powerfulness of our nation, they have taken this fact for granted and have begun to worry less and less about terrorist attacks over the past decades. Never before has anyone witnessed a comparable disaster in America; it was not even imaginable. Public places, such as all government buildings and monuments, were shut down because of these attacks. For the first time, the FAA was forced to cancel all flights and close airports. Sporting events were
canceled, and the stock market closed. Never before in history has the entire nation shut down everything for this amount of time due to mourning. A national day of mourning was declared of Friday, September 14. Everyone across the globe lit candles in respect to those who lost their lives. Churches of all religions held special services to pray for those in need. Never will the United States have the same mentality as before this crisis. Security will be boosted in all airports and government buildings. Today America is fearful, but we will soon regain our strength and determination. Society will rebound in the coming years from the horror of this day. This day will leave a mark forever. The following generations will read about this in history books. This event that hit our nation is an example of a life lesson in which our children will be able to understand that to be an American you must stand up for freedom and justice.
America remembers tragedy
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ovember 22, 1963. A day that will be remembered in history forever. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was fatally shot in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Americans today still know the details of that fateful day. Where they were when they head the announcement, what they were doing at the time, and how they felt continues to haunt them almost four decades later. Our generation now holds a new fate to forever remember. September 11, 2001: The unprecedented terrorist attack on America. The twin World Trade Center towers, along with the United Stated Pentagon, were hit by a hijacked plane causing the towers to collapse and killing an unimaginable number of innocent victims. Students, teachers, mothers, fathers, the rich, the poor, and all around the world stopped what they were doing to hear the devastating proclamation. No one knew how to react to the news. Who would have ever fathomed that something so terrible could happen to our country, the land of the free and the home of the brave? Rescue teams, firefighters, officers, doctors, nurses, and paramedics were rushed to
the sites. All around the country others demonstrated their support by donating blood, money, hopes, and prayers for those affected by the tragedy. People of all ages, races, and religions united to help those affected by the tragedy. And, in a country where less than 12 months ago the presidential election politically divided its citizens, their unification is unbelievable moving. It simply illustrates once more the strength of our nation, the power of democracy, and our ability to work through this time of disbelief together. Where you were when you heard the announcement of the two planes crashing into the economical symbols of the free world, what you were doing at the time, approximately 8:45 a.m., and how you felt when the news coverage was seen of the crashes are the stories our generation will be telling our children, and our children’s children, 20 years from now. How you supported the victims of the tragedy will be a question you can answer. And the day America was attacked will be a haunting memory for all of its citizens.