By Stephanie Grabbe

A rumble of a low-flying jet broke the silence and a gust of wind extinguished flames at Monday night’s candlelight vigil. The ceremony, held outside of University Hall, concluded a day filled with 9/11 memorial services.The services began that morning after the Student Center bells sounded 27 times. Each penetrating ring signified the loss of a University alumnus or graduate student who were victims of the terrorist attacks.School officials and students gathered after the ringing of the bells outside C.V. Starr Hall. There in the Labyrinth, stood the Musuem Phoenix, a statue dedicated to the victims of 9/11. A ceremonial wreath laying followed as students and University personnel spoke of the significance of the five-year anniversary. Student Activities staff member Kimberly Rhyan worked in collaboration with the College Republicans to host a viewing of films that dealt with the events of 9/11. Flight 93, which served as a prelude to the vigil, portrayed the events of that day from the perspective of both those in the hijacked planes and the government officials scrambling for control on the ground. At the conclusion of the film, Akeem Mellis, a freshman, expressed the difficulty he faces today. “It’s still hard to get over it at times,” he said. “I do pause from time to time and reflect on the lives that were lost.” “I couldn’t believe five years went by so quickly,” Laura Maselli, a freshman, said, as the credits rolled. The Great New Wonderful, a film depicting life after 9/11 and how New Yorkers have moved on, was screened Tuesday night. Students were encouraged to participate in a short discussion afterwards. Rhyan, who has been working with students for the past three years on memorial services for 9/11, was pleased with this year’s turnout. “Last year we had about 11 students show up, and this year I would say about 70 students showed up for the movie and 35 stayed for the vigil,” Rhyan said. Rhyan hopes that the memorial services will continue to be on students’ personal agendas each September. “There is definitely still a need to remember and reflect,” she added. “This is something for our generation to remember.”The week-long 9/11 memorial served to commemorate those whose lives were lost, but also to bring attention to the impact on those still living with the consequences. On Sept. 5, MTV News anchor Gideon Yago hosted an open symposium where University students expressed their reactions and hopes concerning life after the attacks. Several students pointed out the lack of change they have experienced five years later. “I think it addressed the issues that are still with us today,” Blair Hotchner, a freshman psychology and dance dual major, explained. “This event wasn’t meant to address the sorrow or serve as a memorial, but the political ramifications were talked about.” “The symposium was really well done, but it didn’t commemorate the memory of the victims,” freshman, Kris Ortiz said. “There were a lot of complaints and political views expressed.”