By Julia Beattie
This September marks the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Carle Place High School’s ninth annual Battle of the Classes, Battling for a Cause event honored those affected by the tragic day. The event raised $20,000 for Tuesday’s Children.
Tuesday’s Children was founded to promote long-term healing for all those directly impacted by the events of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. An estimated 3,051 children lost a parent on 9/11. More than 33,000 responders and survivors have faced and continue to face 9/11-related illnesses. The students chose a foundation close to the community’s heart as many families in town and employees of the Carle Place School District were affected by 9/11 in some way. Carle Place High School security guard, Greg Cantiello; Port Authority employee and CP alumni Robert Jarvis; art teacher, Mr. Krause, who volunteered with the Wantagh Fire Department in the aftermath; Fine Arts Chairperson, Mrs. Russo, who volunteered at St. Paul’s Church, a place of rest for first responders; Battalion Captain Chief and Carle Place resident, Charles Vella; and father of Student Organization Secretary Julia Beattie, Lieutenant John Beattie; these are just a few of the many who were impacted. 
The event took months of planning by the Student Organization and Key Club. Sophomore Christiana Caliendo said, “The day of battle is the best day of the school year.” The evening of Feb. 26 was filled with fun, spirit and competition and truly exhibited how Carle Place can really come together for an important cause. Congratulations to the top fundraiser, sophomore Gabriella Murray, and to the class of 2016 for winning the 2016 Battle of the Classes, Battling for a Cause.
Present at the event were CPHS graduates and members of the Tuesday’s Children junior executive board Matt Dimmling (2006) and Kristen Dimmling (2009) who lost their uncle William John Dimmling on Sept. 11, 2001. William Dimmling worked for March and McLennan. Also present at the event was Carle Place resident Tina Karen. The video and event were dedicated to the memory of her husband Charles Karen, who passed away due to 9/11 related cancer in November of 2015.
Through the Battle of the Classes, Battling for a Cause event, the Student Organization and Key Club sought to raise awareness of the impact of 9/11 and to keep alive the memories of those affected.
“Hours of planning and hard work went into the event this year, so seeing the excitement among the students, faculty, and representatives of Tuesday’s Children was an extremely rewarding feeling,” said Student Organization Vice President Sophia Urrutia.
“Battle of the Classes, Battling for a Cause is an amazing opportunity to unify the school through service learning,” said Key Club President Thomas Vestuto. “By raising thousands of dollars for various charities and organizations, we are able to show what teamwork can really do, even if we are a really small school.”
