When the keynote speaker for Killeen ISD’s 20th anniversary freedom walk event steps to the podium Friday, she will represent a generation set to carry the torch of American freedom into a hopeful future.
The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Harker Heights High School auditorium with a ceremony of remembrance and continues with a walk at the adjacent school stadium.
Harker Heights High School senior Jaylynn Bennett is the keynote speaker.
By any reasonable standard, Bennett is impressive.
Near the top of her Class of 2027, a STEM Academy student at Central Texas College, varsity athlete and NASA summer intern, she is obviously going places.
Admittedly a bit nervous about her speaking engagement, the high school senior said Tuesday she feels privileged to address such an important gathering and she takes seriously the challenge to speak on behalf of her peers.
“To be a face for our younger generation that was not alive when the towers were struck,” she said describing her role.
“It’s a speech that explains why it matters for our generation to remember this and to carry it forward.”
It was KISD Community Relations Executive Director Angenet Wilkerson who tapped Bennett as this year’s keynote speaker.
Twenty-five years after the tragedy we call 9-11, a new generation is poised to take charge and their voices are important.
This year’s freedom walk also includes a middle school essay contest examining the response of the nation that day.
“We will carry it forward and never forget what happened that day,” Bennett said. “We must stay unified and have compassion for one another.”
Twenty-five years ago, Bennett’s mother was at a family gathering at the heart of New York City for several days up to the day before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
In recent years, Jaylynn Bennett traveled with her mother and other family members to New York City and visited the 9/11 Memorial.
Over the years, the student said much of what she has heard about the tragedy is focused on the unifying impact it had on America.
“It’s sad. It was a terrorist attack. It also brought us together,” she said. “We became one and cared for one another.”
Stories and photos are posted on KISD’s website about the middle school curriculum the district has used this fall to teach about 911 and about the 20th anniversary of the community remembrance.
Photos from past 911 events are loaded on Flickr.
STORIES:
https://www.killeenisd.org/article/3106260
https://www.killeenisd.org/article/3085944
PHOTOS:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720335412286/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720335268445/