Students see terrorism, war changing their generation

Terry Webster

Monday, Sept. 17, 2001 | 9:27 a.m.

They have read about war in history books, heard stories about it from their grandparents.

Then they watched their once-busy skies become empty as air traffic came to a halt in the wake of terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Now high school students in the Las Vegas Valley are bracing for the United States' promise of a new war.

Some of their parents have started stockpiling canned goods, they said. Family discussions have turned to a possible military draft.

Nearly one week has passed, and classrooms and classmates in the Clark County School District are still abuzz with talk of the attacks and the war on terrorism promised by President Bush.

"We've been talking about it in my government classes every day," Jaclyn Kurtz, a Valley High School senior, said.

Feelings of fear, grief and outrage continue. Some say it is only beginning.

"We shouldn't say it's over," Steve Sanford, a junior at Chaparral High School, said.

Other students said they feel afraid, as if any noise outside could be the signal of more attacks.

"We have a reason to be afraid," Nicole Woodward, a Chaparral High senior, said. "We have Nellis Air Force base here and we have the Hoover Dam."

Aware of media reports that the U.S. military is shorthanded, students are trying to cope with the possibility of being drawn into war.

"But it's not going to be the end of the world," Woodward said. "We just have to realize that war is something that has happened in the past, and now it's happening to us. It will not wipe out a generation. But it's going to affect a generation, and it's going to be mine."

Students looked at the faces of their classmates, wondering who may be called to serve and if their plans after graduation will be placed on hold.

"It's kids my age who are going to be involved in this," Rachel Stewart, a Chaparral High junior, said. "My friends, the guys I hang around with, could be going to war. Some of them might not come back. The girls will have to decide whether they want to be nurses or serve in some other way."

Sami Peterson, a Chaparral senior, said she believes European countries will come to the aid of the United States.

"I think they will support us and back us up," she said.

Other students, like Valley High junior Sam Karabel, said the terrorist attacks have marked the beginning of World War III.

Craig Huntington, a Valley High senior, said he fears the attacks will have a devastating effect on the U.S. economy, not only because of the expense, but also through the loss of some of the nation's brightest financial analysts, who worked in the World Trade Center.

Some, like Moose Abdi, a Valley High senior and a Muslim, feel a danger from fellow residents.

"There are Muslim parts in Afghanistan," said Abdi. "My mother woke me up the other night and told me Muslims were attacked in San Francisco. I couldn't sleep after that. People don't understand. Muslims would never do these attacks."

Other students said they are disgusted by reports of retaliation against certain ethnic groups living here.

All of America must cast aside prejudices, students said, and join together.

"It seems like there is a lot more spirit," said Katie Ranck, a senior at Chaparral High. "Students who never said the pledge before are standing up, putting their hands over their hearts and saying it with meaning."

Valley High science teacher and student council adviser Patty Hey said the television remains on in her classroom, reporting the latest developments.

"Students are stopping in on their lunch breaks during the day," she said. "They want to know what's going on."

In classrooms and throughout the country, patriotism continues to grow.

"This is our country," Sandi Miner, a Chaparral High junior, said. "We can't let terrorists do that."