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Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

Julie Schnaars, a 2010 graduate of the Meadowbrook Alternative Program in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, never thought that just an idea could become a reality.

Encouraged and inspired by special education teacher John Boyle, and with the support of Susan Ellinghaus, director of MAP, Julie set out to bring a 1,600-pound steel girder from the remains of World Trade Center to the district’s Brookside School in North Merrick, which houses the Meadowbrook Alternative Program and the district’s administrative offices.

Recently, a dedication of the memorial was held to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Families, friends, neighbors and local residents attended a dedication ceremony of the piece that now is situated in the middle of the entrance to the school, adorned by landscaping and memorial plaques.

The project took over a year, and many local businesses donated their services without any compensation. The ceremony included the dedication speech by Julie Schnaars, a violin performance by Calhoun High School student Rebecca Bittman, and the National Anthem sung by Kennedy High School student Dana Shapiro.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of “God Bless America” by Mepham High School student Stephanie Mojica, daughter of Manuel Mojica, a New York City firefighter caught in the World Trade Center collapse trying to save lives.

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