OMAGH GIRL FIND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN NEW YORK TERROR AND HOME TOWN ATROCITY
Omagh girl finds similarities between New York terror attack and home town atrocity
By Doreen Graham
A young Omagh woman studying in the US has written a moving account of her visit to New York's Ground Zero, where the city's Twin Towers were destroyed in the September 11 atrocity.
Jeni Gordon (19), a past pupil of Omagh Academy and currently studying in Corpus Christi, Texas, wrote the article following a visit to New York.
Jeni, who won a scholarship to study International Relations at Aberystwyth University in Wales after gaining excellent grades in her A-levels, decided to take a year out before taking up her university place.
Interested in how the American education system works, Jeni applied for the chance to study there and was accepted by W.B. Ray High School, where she started last September as a senior.
She quickly made an impression at the school and shortly before Christmas was made editor of the school newspaper, 'The Texan'. It was around this time Jeni visited New York and wrote the article for the paper. Arriving in Texas in August 2001 to live with a host family, Jeni was in America on September 11 and was uniquely placed to witness the country's reaction to the tragedy of that day.
Moved by the "outpouring of grief, pity and distress" symbolised by the thousands of tributes lining the streets near Ground Zero, Jeni writes "I was struck by the overwhelming similarity between what happened in New York and my own home town of Omagh on August 15, 1998."
The similarities do not just end at a terrorist attack. In both Omagh and New York Jeni saw "a community caught unaware... a community tested as never before and a community that has pulled together in a show of unity never before seen."
Initially fearful, and of course saddened, by events in the country at the time Jeni writes that now "in some strange way I am happy to be here at a time when citizens are rediscovering pride for their country.
"Everything can be rebuilt: buildings, hope, spirits, communities New York will be repaired, and although we will never forget September 11, life does go on, and we must make life for the next generation as peaceful as we can."
Jeni, the youngest child and only daughter of Andy and Evelyn Gordon, will return home this summer, before taking up her place at Aberystwyth in the autumn.
By Doreen Graham
A young Omagh woman studying in the US has written a moving account of her visit to New York's Ground Zero, where the city's Twin Towers were destroyed in the September 11 atrocity.
Jeni Gordon (19), a past pupil of Omagh Academy and currently studying in Corpus Christi, Texas, wrote the article following a visit to New York.
Jeni, who won a scholarship to study International Relations at Aberystwyth University in Wales after gaining excellent grades in her A-levels, decided to take a year out before taking up her university place.
Interested in how the American education system works, Jeni applied for the chance to study there and was accepted by W.B. Ray High School, where she started last September as a senior.
She quickly made an impression at the school and shortly before Christmas was made editor of the school newspaper, 'The Texan'. It was around this time Jeni visited New York and wrote the article for the paper. Arriving in Texas in August 2001 to live with a host family, Jeni was in America on September 11 and was uniquely placed to witness the country's reaction to the tragedy of that day.
Moved by the "outpouring of grief, pity and distress" symbolised by the thousands of tributes lining the streets near Ground Zero, Jeni writes "I was struck by the overwhelming similarity between what happened in New York and my own home town of Omagh on August 15, 1998."
The similarities do not just end at a terrorist attack. In both Omagh and New York Jeni saw "a community caught unaware... a community tested as never before and a community that has pulled together in a show of unity never before seen."
Initially fearful, and of course saddened, by events in the country at the time Jeni writes that now "in some strange way I am happy to be here at a time when citizens are rediscovering pride for their country.
"Everything can be rebuilt: buildings, hope, spirits, communities New York will be repaired, and although we will never forget September 11, life does go on, and we must make life for the next generation as peaceful as we can."
Jeni, the youngest child and only daughter of Andy and Evelyn Gordon, will return home this summer, before taking up her place at Aberystwyth in the autumn.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1038
Published Date: 04-Apr-02
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