In honor of 9/11, our 6th grade students participated in a moving lesson centered on selflessness, courage, and remembrance. In their Social Studies classes, they watched the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary short featuring the incredible story of Welles Crowther, known to many as “The Man in the Red Bandana.”
Through the film, students learned how Welles,a 24-year-old equities trader and former volunteer firefighter, used his iconic red bandana to protect his face from smoke while making multiple trips back up the South Tower of the World Trade Center, saving at least 18 lives before losing his own.
Following the documentary, the 6th graders engaged in a thoughtful, heartfelt discussion about what true heroism means. They reflected on the selfless choices Welles made that day and talked about the everyday heroes in their own lives, from firefighters, healthcare workers, and military members to parents, teachers, and friends who show quiet courage and kindness.
To bring the lesson home, every student was given their own red bandana to serve as a reminder to carry on Welles’ legacy by making brave, compassionate choices and looking out for others each day.
