Changed by 9/11: Megan Gaskin, College Student

It was just an ordinary school day for me when our world changed.

I had just started fourth grade at in Seaford. The morning was the same as always but by lunch something didn’t seem right.

One of my friends had told me that the principal came to her fourth grade class. She came to speak to her teacher, Mrs. Smagala.  Mrs. Smagala was pregnant with her first child. All of us knew her husband was a New York City fireman. She quickly left for the day. 

I arrived home from school and told my mom the news about Mrs. Smagala. I got dressed for my afternoon dance class and then my dad came home. It was only 3:30 p.m. when he arrived in the house. My mother was crying and my two sisters and I didn’t understand why.

The next day Mrs. Smagala wasn’t in school. My classmates and I were all wondering what had happened. By the following Monday, everyone knew about Stan Smagala.  He had passed away in the line of duty helping others in the World Trade Center when it collapsed. 

Mrs. Smagala never returned that school year. The following January, Mrs. Smagala had a healthy baby girl. 

As a fourth grade student this changed the course of my school year. Little did I know it would change the course of all of our lives.

As the 10th anniversary approaches, I am grateful that we can remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I am now 18 years old and a sophomore at Molloy College.