Photos courtesy Mr. Greg Rowe
By Veritas Staff
9/12/25
BOSTON - Students from Rockland High attended the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on Thursday.
Rockland History Department Chair Mr. Greg Rowe and Special Education Teacher Mr. Rich Gattine chose seven sophomores to attend the event.
The ceremony involved listening to the names of Massachusetts victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, read by Governor Maura Healy, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Mayor Michelle Wu, and members of the victims' families.
The students were also allowed to listen to speakers in the Senate Chambers, including Pat Bavis, Chairperson of the 9/11. Pat's brother, Mark Driscoll, the namesake for Bavis Rink in Rockland, was killed on 9/11.
Students finished the day walking to the Boston Public Gardens to see the 9/11 Memorial, where Mayor Wu laid a wreath.
Students from other schools in Massachusetts attended the event as well, including O'Bryant High School, Needham High School, and Fontbonne Academy.
Sophomore Hannah Corbett said, "Being there put into perspective how the events affected people not only in New York but people all across the country who may have been on planes or knew people were affected directly. I could put together connections between myself and people directly affected."
Corbett said her favorite part of the day was seeing the wreath laying at the memorial in the Garden.
"Yesterday was an amazing opportunity to remember those lost on 9/11. The Rockland students were absolutely fantastic, and to meet so many dignitaries whose lives were impacted was truly a moment that will be remembered," Mr. Rowe said.
A Rockland student who lost a family member in the attacks connected Rockland High with the 9/11 Fund several years ago, and RHS students have been able to participate in the memorial ceremony prior to this year as well.