Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County holds ceremony marking 25 years since Sept. 11 attacks

PALMETTO, Fla. (WWSB) - Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County held a remembrance ceremony on Friday morning marking 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Local leaders, students, and community members reflecting on the enduring spirit of unity, service, and resilience.

The event—supported by New College of Florida, the Manatee County Government, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County and sponsored by the Palmetto Marriott.

The ceremony included patriotic musical performances by St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, who performed the National Anthem, and Palmetto High School. Former students, Officer Lenard Rivers, now with the Temple Terrace Police Department, and educator Mariah Williams-Adams led the Pledge of Allegiance. Both were elementary students in Sandra Kay Daniels’ Sarasota classroom at Emma E. Booker Elementary School on the morning President George W. Bush was informed of the attacks.

During the program, New College of Florida formally recognized and honored Daniels, who was met with gratitude and embraces from officials throughout the event.

“Miss Daniels, you were America’s teacher that day,” said Palmetto Mayor Dan West.

Rivers reflected on the lasting influence Daniels had on her students, saying, “Everybody needs somebody like her, she cares genuinely, no matter what the situation is she’ll be there.”

Addressing the crowd, Daniels shared her perspective on that historic morning. “I believe President George W. Bush was the right man at the right time, I also believe God had the right teacher, in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.”

Local officials also shared their personal recollections of September 11. Florida Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd recalled the immediate shock of the morning, noting, “I was in our office and someone came in and said a plane just crashed in New York.”

Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown spoke about the personal toll on families with first responders in New York City. “My cousin was NYPD and was in the World Trade Centers, and he got out... but I remember my mom talking to my aunt all day and she was so worried because that was his job,” Brown said.

Other participating dignitaries included Manatee County Commission Chairman Tal Siddique, County Commissioner Amanda Ballard, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County President and CEO Dawn Stanhope, Manatee County Superintendent of Schools Lori Breslin, and Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools Terry Connors.

Speakers closed the ceremony by urging attendees to honor the memory of those lost on September 11, while carrying forward the compassion, unity, and shared strength that defined the nation in the days that followed.