Maureen Santora Remembers

Long Island City, NY – Christopher Santora had only been a member of Engine 54, Ladder 4 for two months when he died tragically in the events of September 11th.

“It devastated us,” recalls his mother Maureen Santora, “but my husband and I both understood we couldn’t change what happened so we wanted to do something that would benefit the future generations and help them remember 9/11.”

In response, the Santoras established the Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund in their son’s memory. Supported by donations from caring individuals and corporate sponsors, the fund awards $50,000 in scholarships each year to New York City’s elementary, middle school and high school students. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships.

“I saw 9/11 as an act of hatred,” says Maureen. “We wanted to counter that hatred by encouraging others to be generous and kind and more compassionate and tolerant.”

The fund’s scholarships are awarded following an essay competition. Students are asked to engage a topic related to history and current events. These essays are evaluated based on the student’s response to the topic, grammar and spelling, originality and their ability to relate the topic to their personal experience.

Maureen says they’re looking for essays that reveal the integrity of the student’s character in what they write.

“The passion is usually what makes the winning essay,” says Maureen. “The students who have won felt very strongly about their positions. That was Christopher. He never wanted to be on the side he didn’t feel passionate about.”

Today, Maureen is a sought-after advocate for families whose loved ones died on September 11th. She’s made it her personal mission to ensure that her son and all the other heroes of 9/11 are remem­bered. She is the author of three books: My Son Christopher; We Remember and The Day the Towers Fell, a children’s book written to help explain the tragic events of September 11th.

“The Day the Towers Fell is the story of 9/11 for young children,” says Maureen. “I wanted to give children an opportunity to learn what happened that day because 9/11 has changed our world profoundly. I wanted children to understand this is what hatred looked like.”

There is currently no curriculum in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut that includes 9/11. Santora considers The Day the Towers Fell a tool to help teachers discuss this difficult subject.

“You can’t take it for granted that the next generation of children will understand,” says Maureen. “We need something to help begin the conversation. That’s why I wrote the book. If you’re going to create a better world, this is an ongoing discussion we need to have.”

For more information on the Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund, visit www.christophersantora.com

To learn more about The Day the Towers Fell, visit www.maureensantora.com

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