This September 11th, Oakmont junior Emma Goodwin had the honor of attending Project 351’s annual 9/11 Tribute Service. Project 351 is a youth-led organization composed of an eighth-grade Ambassador from every city and town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These individuals meet several times throughout the course of the year to lead service projects in the community and have the opportunity to continue with the organization in an alumni leadership role. One of the primary events of Project 351 each year is the 9/11 Tribute Service, uniting as many members of the organization as possible along with other volunteers to honor those affected by 9/11.
After serving as the ambassador for the town of Westminster during her eighth-grade year, Goodwin is now continuing with her fourth year of service with Project 351 as an Alumni Mentor, leading a group of ten current ambassadors. As a member of the Alumni Leadership Council, Goodwin traveled to the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway in the heart of Boston for 2025’s 9/11 Tribute Service. There, she helped organize and lead service at the event.
During the service, volunteers performed several acts for the benefit of people affected by the conflicts after September 11th, 2001. Volunteers participated by creating care packages with mental health tools for troops overseas. Other volunteers worked hard tying Annie’s Kindness Blankets, which were then sent to veterans in need. Finally, volunteers worked on cards and letters to send to troops along with the care packages. Along with the official event, members of Project 351 also led their own service projects in their hometowns, creating change in their own communities. Thousands of lives are impacted each year through tribute services, making a monumental difference. This annual tradition facilitates remembrance through service, creating change in the wake of the tragedies.
When the planes crashed into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the field in Pennsylvania on September 11th, 2001, the world was changed forever. This horrific event left the nation in a state of shock and sadness. However, through unity, love, and support, the people of the United States were able to rise again to overcome the challenging times. Events and service projects like Project 351’s Tribute Service carry on that kindness and strength, emphasizing that people are more powerful when working together.
With prominent members of the Commonwealth in attendance, like Governor Maura Healey, this event hosted hundreds of volunteers, eager to make an impact in honor of this tragedy. Goodwin reflects, “It is truly beautiful to see all these different people come together like this, and it is even more beautiful to be a part of it.” As one of the most memorable events each year at Project 351, the 9/11 Tribute Service holds a special place in everyone’s hearts. The unity created by this event instills hope for the future, demonstrating what people are capable of when they come together.
