New York state of mind

Story by Casey Ressler/Valley Life editor

Your average junior in high school isn't thinking about world events and how they can make a big difference in the lives of others. But Susannah Numme isn't your average high school junior.

Numme, a junior at Matanuska Christian School, recently returned from Ground Zero, where she spent a week working at St. Paul's Cathedral, helping rescue workers and New York City officials. She spent three shifts at St. Paul's, helping the rescue and relief workers who were on the go 24 hours a day. She also helped feed the homeless in New York City, and worked with an afterschool program for students. She said her life was touched by the relief workers who are giving all of their efforts.

"I had no idea of the caliber of workers there. They are all volunteers, who are not getting paid, and they are working around the clock, surrounded by death every day," Numme said. "I was glad to work at St. Paul's because it was a place of life. By helping the living, I was helping to honor the dead."

Numme was the only Alaskan who was part of a 30-person contingent from Real Missions, a group based in Washington. Real Missions worked in conjunction with Generational Ministries Fellowship.

Numme became involved with the program through her church, New Life Covenant Church.

"Through God's name, we were showing the workers the love of Christ," Numme said. "St. Paul's Cathedral was a block away from the World Trade Center towers, and it didn't sustain any damage. It's a miracle -- God wanted us to use the cathedral to help those who need it."

Her mother, Mary Numme, said it was through God that her daughter got the opportunity to go to New York City and help.

"Through God, she was able to go and help strengthen people there," Mary Numme said.

Being the only Alaskan, Numme received plenty of attention from the workers, who were interested in hearing about Alaska.

"I had the reputation as 'that chick from Alaska,'" Numme said with a chuckle. "I told them that the other people came from Washington, and that's pretty far, too."

Numme worked two 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. shifts at St. Paul's, as well as an 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. shift. She said she enjoyed the graveyard shifts because of the support she received from the workers.

"There are so many more people than just firemen there. There are crane operators, OSHA workers, construction crews, sanitation workers, engineers. Everybody is doing their part," Numme said. "There was everything at the cathedral. They would sleep there, we would feed them. There was a place for them to get foot care, massages -- everything.

"One time I went upstairs in the balcony, and it was like a nursery. There were these big, tall, strong men just laying there sleeping peacefully," Numme said. "They looked so innocent there. It was a contrast to what was outside the cathedral."

She said she was overwhelmed with the support pouring in from around the country. At St. Paul's alone, there are boxes and boxes of letters, many written by young students. There are banners hanging from the balconies, and signs of support are everywhere. On the fence surrounding the cathedral, there are memorials everywhere.

"It was not at all what I thought before I went," Numme said. "People are so generous. Businesses donated so much food, and people are giving their time. The support the workers are getting is tremendous."

Leaving was tough for Numme. In just a week, she formed bonds with some of the rescue workers, and she said saying good-bye wasn't easy.

Numme left New York Citywith the knowledge that she made a difference in the lives of those she touched, however.

"Susi said the people there were so caring. She said they were genuinely smiling, even through the tough times," Mary Numme said of her daughter. "And that made an impact on her."