By Alex Allain

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The middle school students at Trinity Episcopal School received a guest lecture on Wednesday, and it was notably delivered between the speaker’s own classes.

Trinity Episcopal junior Wesley Gore has been raising awareness among classmates about the importance of 9-11 in our nation’s past and its enduring influence on the present. Equipped with a Powerpoint presentation and personal reflection, Gore sought to convey the magnitude of the events of that day.

“We need to realize the changes (in American life) caused by this event,” said Gore. Gore explained to his listeners that life in the U.S. has been profoundly affected by the 9-11 terrorist attack, and he emphasized that this tragedy is not a remote episode in history, but a formational experience for every American.

“I remember exactly where I was and who told me (on 9-11),” said Gore. Gore was only a first grader at the time, but he can still recall the intensity of that day.

“The teacher told us that we were not going to understand, but that something bad had happened in New York. We saw the news on television in the school cafeteria.”

Gore is rallying for remembrance of 9-11 as part of a larger effort with the Trinity Key Club. In honor of the tenth anniversary of September 11, members of the Trinity Key Club are selling wristbands that read “Trinity Remembers 9-11” and “Trinity Saints for Wounded Warriors,” and they are available in black and red respectively.

The Key Club is an international student-led organization that promotes community service and leadership among high school students. It is affiliated with the Kiwanis Club.

The wristbands cost five dollars, and all proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Wounded Warrior Project was founded to help injured servicemen and women of the U.S. military upon their return from Afghanistan and Iraq. The organization offers a range of services in support of recovery, focusing on the areas of the mind, body, economic empowerment and engagement.

Gore said that this fundraiser idea dawned on him this summer.

“About three weeks before school, I was brainstorming about service ideas for the club, and I realized that this year would mark the 10th year anniversary of 9-11. I thought of the wristbands, and I automatically pictured the Wounded Warrior Project as the recipient.”

Gore said the idea quickly became a reality after that point.

“I met with Father Brandt Dick (headmaster), and we talked about our options. We came out of the meeting with a plan, and the Key Club has been supportive of it.”

Gore was elected president of Trinity’s chapter of Key Club at the beginning of the fall term, and he is excited about the potential of this fundraiser to kickoff the year.

“We have purchased 400 wristbands, and our set goal is $1,500,” Gore said.

Gore said that the wristbands are being sold by Key Club members at the school and that they will be selling them at the home football game on Friday night.

Additionally, the Trinity Key Club is sponsoring a poster contest in honor of the Sept. 11 anniversary. All elementary and middle school grades will be submitting posters illustrating the events of 9-11, and the winning entry will be selected on the basis of creativity, explanation of events through illustration and quotations, the due respect exhibited in the submission and demonstrated understanding of the tragedy.

Gore said that he hoped the poster contest will be a fun and engaging way for younger students to learn about their nation’s history.

The posters will be displayed at the football game and across campus during the following week.

Awareness of 9-11 will even be expressed during the pep rally.

The pep rally will feature an American theme, and students will be allowed to deviate from the standard uniform code, provided that they are appropriately dressed in red, white or blue.

“I would like thank the senior cheerleaders for making this happen,” Gore said.

The pep rally will start at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Besides being the president of the Trinity Key Club, Gore is a member of the Trinity football team and captain of the Science Olympiad team. While still a junior, Gore said that he hopes to major in the biological field as he looks toward college.

Wesley Gore is the son of Karey and Wes Gore.