Even as the raindrops fell, hundreds of runners gathered at the starting line shortly after 9 a.m. on Sept. 20 for the third annual Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K. The event raises money to ensure that current and future students learn about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and its impact on the community. 

More than 700 runners of all ages signed up for the race, which began in front of Wantagh High School on Beltagh Avenue, went through community streets, and ended on the track. The 5K was presented by the Gary Sinise Foundation in partnership with the Wantagh 6-12 Association and Orlin & Cohen Sports Medicine, and was organized by Race Awesome. The festivities kicked off with a kids fun run, with children invited to complete one lap around the high school track.

Before the 5K began, an opening ceremony took place in front of the high school, featuring patriotic music from the Nassau County Police Department Pipe and Drum Band, and the singing of the national anthem from Wantagh sophomore Giada Petrillo. Assistant Principal Dr. Christopher Widmann, chair of the district’s 9/11 committee, welcomed the participants, thanked the sponsors and introduced special guests. In an emotional moment that captured the true purpose of the event, Dr. Widmann read the names of Wantagh residents and graduates who died on Sept. 11 and from 9/11-related illnesses. 

Money raised from the previous races helped fund the creation of a new monument in front of the high school honoring 9/11 victims, which was dedicated this year on the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The annual 5K also helps support an annual trip for Wantagh High School students to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Manhattan, as well as student scholarships and a teacher grant program.

“There’s not only a shared belief, but a shared purpose of responsibility to ensure every child who walks our halls not only understands the tragedy of 9/11, but even more importantly knows that evil didn’t triumph, humanity did,” Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said.

This year’s keynote speaker was retired FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, who was appointed to chief of department after Chief Peter J. Ganci Jr. was killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. At the time, Chief Nigro was responsible for overseeing all rescue and recovery operations at the site, and the rebuilding of the FDNY after losing 343 members. He commended the Wantagh School District for its efforts to educate the next generation of students about Sept. 11.

“A lot of expressions came out of 9/11,” Commissioner Nigro said. “One that hits me when the names are read, ‘All gave some, and some gave all,’ so today we’re honoring those that gave all.”

Wantagh resident Sue Sliwak, whose husband, Robert. F. Sliwak, was killed on Sept. 11 while working at Cantor Fitzgerald, sounded the cannon to start the race. At 16:29, Oscar Lorenzo, of Amityville, was the first to cross the finish line. The top Wantagh runner was 16-year-old Alex Diegnan, whose time of 17:52 placed him fourth overall. Julie Hong, of Wantagh, finished first among females with a time of 22:37.