Wayne, NJ –In a solemn and heartfelt ceremony, Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) commemorated the anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The tribute featured personal stories from guest speakers, including survivor and individuals deeply impacted by the day.

Over the summer, students from PCTI's Girls and Boys State had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, where they learned more about the impactful day from museum volunteers and a 9/11 survivor. During today’s ceremony, these students shared their reflections on the visit, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering and learning from history.

Guest speaker Jason Leeds, a survivor of the 9/11 attacks who was on the 74th floor of the South Tower, provided an emotional account of his experiences on that fateful day. Leeds' testimony deeply resonated with the students and attendees, underscoring the enduring human impact of the tragedy.

PCTI Principal Antonio Garcia, who was in the vicinity of the World Trade Center when the planes hit, recounted his harrowing journey home. Dr. Scott Cumberbatch, a PCTI student during the attacks, shared his reflections on living through the day as a young person, and Jay Gonzalez, a Marine Corp Sergeant at the time, provided an emotional account of his perspective on the significance of 9/11 from a military standpoint.

This tribute served as a powerful reminder of the courage, resilience, and unity that emerged from the tragedy, with PCTI continuing to honor and reflect on the importance of patriotism and remembering those lost and affected.

The full presentation of the 9/11 tribute can be viewed by following the link provided: https://youtube.com/live/17qRub6W08E?feature=share

Guest Speaker Jason Leeds

Jason Leeds meets with PCTI Girls and Boys State

PCTI Girls and Boys State group photo