As the horn sounded, approximately 760 runners took off down Beltagh Avenue, traversing the streets of Wantagh before crossing the finishing line on the high school track. The inaugural Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K on Sept. 22 was a huge success, bringing together the school community and beyond. 

Money raised from the event will go towards a memorial commemorating the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as for an annual field trip for Wantagh High School students to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in Manhattan. The district partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation, the Wantagh 6-12 Association and about 20 additional sponsors to bring the event to fruition, as well as RaceAwesome which produced the 3.1-mile race. 

The day began with a kid’s fun run at the high school track, a 400-meter race. Then, the program moved to the front of the school on the mobile Town of Hempstead stage, with an introduction from Assistant Principal Dr. Christopher Widmann, chairman of the district’s 9/11 committee. He read the names of Wantagh residents and alumni who died in the terrorist attacks and from 9/11 related illnesses. Student Logan Schroh sang the national anthem in between a pair of patriotic songs performed by the Nassau County Police Department Pipe and Drum band.

Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone highlighted the district’s partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which began in April 2023 when 20 Wantagh students accompanied veterans to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. That summer, the foundation sponsored a trip for Wantagh students to go to the 9/11 museum. From that second trip, two ideas were born – ensuring that all Wantagh High School students are able to visit the 9/11 museum with cost being an obstacle and to create a memorial on school grounds.

Thomas Gibbs, of the Gary Sinise Foundation, presented the district with a $15,000 gift toward the memorial. The organization was the Gold Star sponsor of the 5K. 

Kyle Sliwak, a 2016 Wantagh High School graduate, spoke about the importance of this event to keep the memory alive of those who died in the attacks. He and his twin sister, Nikki, were 3 years old when their father, Robert Sliwak, died in the north tower while working for Cantor Fitzgerald. Danielle Wasnieski, whose husband, Lee Fehling, died on 9/11 while with the FDNY, signaled the start of the race. 

Just 15 minutes later, Wantagh High School junior Ian Frazer was running the final stretch of course behind the high school and was the first to cross the finish line at 15:38. Julie Vodola finished as the top female runner at 22:56. Students from the high school’s Physical Education Leaders club volunteered their time throughout the day, from cheering on youngsters in the fun run to handing out water to race participants.