Students and faculty gathered on the academic quad for a respectful and moving memorial ceremony on the morning of September 11, 2011, 10 years after the tragic events that occurred a decade ago, as classes were beginning on the first day of the 2001 academic session. (Please see slideshow below.)
Brief readings were offered by students and teachers in remembrance of all who died on America Airlines Flight 11(with the reading presented by Captain Frank Patrinostro, who is an airline pilot and the spouse of mathematics teacher Patrice Patrinostro); United Airlines Flight 175; American Airlines Flight 77; 2 World Trade Center; United Airlines Flight 93; 1 World Trade Center; all first responders; and the Pentagon (with that reading offered by retired Commander Jay Spencer, Hill Class of '84, a retired U.S. Naval Commander and current Hill mathematics teacher, dorm parent, and coach). Both Frank and Jay wore their full uniforms.
The ceremony including the raising of the School's U.S. flag to half-staff, the playing of taps, the tolling of the Alumni Chapel bells in memory of each group of people who lost their lives; and a singing of "America the Beautiful" by the full Hill community.
A beautiful floral tribute was placed in the Memorial Room by Headmaster David Dougherty and Raye Sosseh, the president of the sixth form.
The service on the quad was followed by the scheduled weekly service in Alumni Chapel.