Loyola College Prep will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a week of service projects, educational activities and a memorial football game honoring military personnel and first responders.
The Shreveport school received a $5,000 grant from 9/11 Day, the nonprofit organization that founded and organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. The grant is part of a nationwide effort supported by AmeriCorps and 9/11 Day to engage young people in acts of service while honoring victims, survivors, first responders and military personnel affected by the attacks.
Leigh Lewis, who wrote the grant and is coordinating Loyola’s 9/11 Day activities, said the initiative is intended to help students connect remembrance with service.
“This is about helping our students understand that remembrance is more than looking back; it is also about looking around and asking how we can serve the people and communities around us,” said Lewis. “We want our students to recognize the incredible sacrifices made by first responders and members of our military, while also understanding that they have the ability to make a difference through their own acts of service. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring this message to our entire school community.”
Throughout the week, Loyola students will participate in service projects benefiting local organizations and community members. Projects include providing snacks and supplies to first responders and military personnel, collecting diapers for Catholic Charities, tutoring younger students, reading with children at St. John Berchmans Catholic School, preparing care packages for people experiencing homelessness, writing letters to military personnel and supporting Holy Angels.
Loyola’s Spanish classes also are raising funds for an orphanage in Colombia affected by a recent earthquake. The project connects the students’ service work with their studies of natural disasters and global communities.
F.Ai.T.H., Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Government Association, Civics classes, Spanish classes, cheerleaders and football players are among the groups participating in the schoolwide effort.
The centerpiece of the observance will be Friday’s Loyola Flyers football home opener against Parkway at Messmer Stadium. The game begins at 7 p.m. and will serve as a Memorial and Tribute Football Game honoring those who have served and continue to serve the nation and local community.
Active and retired military personnel and current and retired first responders will receive free admission and be recognized during the game. The Barksdale Air Force Base Honor Guard will participate in pregame ceremonies, and the evening will include special guests and additional recognition of military personnel and first responders.
Rhett Craig, whose family has served in the military for several generations, will perform the national anthem.
Loyola also is inviting members of Barksdale Air Force Base and their families to attend as honored guests.
“Loyola has always valued the strong connection between our school and the military community,” said Dr. Laurie Salvail, principal of Loyola College Prep. “The 25th anniversary of September 11 gives us an important opportunity to teach our students about the meaning of service, sacrifice and community. We are proud of the ways our students are putting those lessons into action, and we are honored to welcome our military and first responder communities to Messmer Stadium as we remember those we lost and recognize those who continue to serve.”
The observance will begin earlier in the week with opportunities for prayer, reflection and education. Students will participate in Mass Wednesday and then hear from retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Donna Barbish, who will speak via Zoom about service, leadership and her military experiences.
The activities are designed to help students who have no personal memories of Sept. 11 understand its significance and connect with people who experienced the attacks and their aftermath firsthand.
“Twenty-five years later, we have a responsibility to make sure the lessons of September 11 are not forgotten,” Lewis said. “Our hope is that our students leave this experience understanding that they can honor the past by serving others today.”
The 9/11 Memorial and Tribute Football Game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Messmer Stadium. Active and retired military personnel and current and retired first responders will receive free admission.
