NATCHEZ &045;&045;Although it has been two years since the events of Sept. 11, students at Trinity Episcopal Day School continue to remember the shock of that moment in time.

Though the memories surrounding that event may never be lost, the students have chosen not to dwell in the past but, instead, make difference in the future.

In commemoration of the victims of the terrorist attacks, 57 juniors and seniors volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.Thursday.

Students spent the day doing a variety of maintenance work in and around the building.

&uot;Mostly we have been cleaning up, painting, moving file cabinets, taking down borders and weeding and gardening,&uot; said senior Duran Sloan.

Juniors Haley House and Amanda Hargrove, who have volunteered at the Sunshine Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, and other places in the community, enjoyed the gardening, dusting and other lighter tasks.

They said they hope more students will become in volunteer work as well.

The students performed the service as a part of One Day’s Pay, a national non-profit organization working with The Coalition of 9/11 Families, the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center Network, Youth Service America, Citizen Corps, and other leading groups to establish September 11th as a national day of voluntary service, charity, and compassion.

After communicating with Dennis and Darby Short of Natchez, who were visiting in New York City when they heard of the organization, senior sponsor Margaret Green relayed information to junior sponsor Gwen Young about the possibility of participating in One Day’s Pay.

&uot;We have worked with the cemetery agency for the last four years, but we decided that we wanted to commemorate 9-11,&uot; Young said.

Volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club &uot;is so timely. It is a big task, but the kids have shown a tremendous effort,&uot; Green said.

&uot;We knew that this would not have a direct impact on the families of the victims, but we could still make a difference by helping someone else,&uot; Young said.

In addition, Young said, &uot;We don’t want the people in New York City, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C., to think that we have forgotten.&uot;

Though the affected areas are hundreds of miles away from Natchez, it has definitely changed the students’ outlook on life.

&uot;I couldn’t believe that it happened. Now, I take life more seriously,&uot; Sloan said.