'We have heroes': Current, former Eastern Randolph High School faculty reflect on impact of 9/11

By Zach Tucker Triad

PUBLISHED 5:09 PM ET Sep. 09, 2026

RAMSEUR, N.C. — It’s been nearly 25 years since thousands were killed in the September 11 attacks.

Three Eastern Randolph High School graduates are being remembered due to that day. One was on a plane that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and two others were killed in combat, fighting for our freedom, following those attacks.

“I have never seen this school that quiet,” said Ed Todd, former Eastern Randolph High School principal. “Everyone was just in awe.”

Todd served as the principal at Eastern Randolph High School from 1993 to 2006. He says he remembers September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. He recalled explaining what happened over the intercom.

“I told every teacher in the school to go to the nearest television, stop all teaching, [and said] this is something I want all of us to be able to see,” Todd said.

Pictures of Sandy Bradshaw, U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Bartkiewicz and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Christopher Phoenix “Jacob” Levy sits a few feet from the school’s main office and serves as a reminder of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Todd remembers Bradshaw as a student and commends her actions aboard Flight 93.

“There were 44 aboard that plane,” Todd said. “They made a decision, and that decision was we are not going to allow this plane to go to the nation's capital. They stood up. She stood up. We have heroes.”

For assistant principal Cecil Mock, no matter how much time has passed, he says it’s important for everyone to understand the impact that the terror attacks had.

“We want them to see that impact and hear about that impact, how it not only affected the nation and maybe other countries, many other countries, but how it affected Eastern Randolph and its community,” Mock said.

Mock helps organize the school’s annual remembrance service, which features tributes from the school’s band, JROTC and dance team as well as several speeches.

“It's about the people's lives that were lost. We put on the best for people to understand how it impacted us,” Mock said.

The school will hold a public remembrance ceremony Friday at 9 a.m. at the football stadium.

Inside the football stadium, Eastern Randolph High created Sandy’s Path. It consists of donated bricks and a plaque commemorating Bradshaw’s heroics during the attacks.

To watch the interview click here:

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triad/news/2026/09/09/eastern-randolph-911-remembrance-service