The bell tolls today, May 26, 2002, for seniors at Lawrence and Free State high schools.

But it will be the sound of Sept. 11, 2001, that resonates in the ears of many. Events of that day help shape a vision of the world these 760 students would like to help build.

“There needs to be more human understanding in everything,” said Leah Tacha, a Free State senior planning to study art in college.

Eight months ago, the students watched in horror as airplanes full of passengers hit the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, killing thousands and marking the defining moment of their final year of high school.

LHS senior Isaac Bari, who wants to be a stock market analyst, said he has yearned for peaceful coexistence among nations in the anxiety-riddled aftermath of Sept. 11.

“World peace,” he said, “would be excellent.”

Jamie Peterson, an LHS senior who expects to be a teacher in the future, said the light of conflict resolution should be pointed at a region steeped in conflict.

“I’d change the entire Middle East with some type of peace agreement,” Peterson said.

These times propel some students to seek careers in public service.

Patrick Bengtson, an LHS graduate, said his dream would be to serve in Congress. He said the world could use more political leaders guided by what was right, regardless of popular sentiment.

“Only when acting on solid principles is one able to influence the world positively and lastingly,” he said.

The senior class has a healthy dose of skepticism about prospects for ending global terror.

“Everybody should … love each other, which is probably unrealistic,” said Haylee Potter, an LHS graduate who imagines herself as a potter or dental hygienist in 10 years.

Julie Thomas, an LHS graduate who is planning to work with inner-city youth after college, said there was much she would like to change about the world. Residents of the United States, she said, should understand what privileged lives they lead.

She’s been on mission trips to Mexico and visited people living in cardboard shacks.

“People (here) are a lot more selfish than they should be,” Thomas said.

Of course, graduates had a few side issues needing a fix. Here’s a sample:

 Kyle Fowler of LHS: “I would lower taxes … especially the income tax.”

 Tess Wisler, Free State: “I’d definitely give everybody a lot more money.”

 Kelsey Mellard of Free State: “Do away with all the budget cuts to schools.”