Lake County Gazette

Last Thursday marked the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and students at Westminster High School participated in the fourth annual Stair Climb Challenge to honor the 343 firefighters who died during the World Trade Center tragedy. The event is organized by the WHS Cross Country team as a fundraiser for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Students and teachers climbed up and down the school's main staircase 42 times, equaling 2,071 steps—the same number as in one of the World Trade Center towers. Volunteers assisted by cheering on participants and keeping track of their progress.

Social studies teachers and cross country coaches Lanaya Martinez and Matt Gillette lead this event each year. Martinez said, "This year’s 9/11 stair climb saw a powerful surge in attendance, bringing together a community united in remembrance. With many dedicated teachers and the energetic Step team joining us, the climb was not only a tribute to those we lost but a testament to the strength and spirit of our collective resolve."

Gillette added, “It’s a meaningful opportunity to take our passions, which are being physical and being active, and combine it with our jobs as social studies teachers to keep the memories of the firefighters alive. We want to help our students understand the values of courage, commitment and purpose.”

Over four years, this event has raised $1,300 for charity.

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 represents several schools across Lake County including Waukegan High School, multiple elementary schools such as Greenwood Elementary School and Hyde Park Elementary School, middle schools like Jack Benny Middle School, and others (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district serves a diverse student population: approximately 79.5 percent Hispanic, 13.2 percent Black, 3.2 percent White, and 1.3 percent Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to recent data from ISBE, there are over one thousand teachers in District 60 earning an average salary of $63,524; most are women (71.1 percent), with no teacher reporting more than ten absences per year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020, District 60 spent $23,429 per student for a total expenditure of over $359 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).