Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus
Junior Christina Rancke lost her father on Sept. 11, 2001. He was on the 104th floor in the south tower.
Junior Christina Rancke lost her father on Sept. 11, 2001. He was on the 104th floor in the south tower. (Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)
As Christina Rancke planted small American flags in the Meadows Museum sculpture garden alongside her aunt and three young cousins, a smile was on her face.
Holding one of the flags, she crouched down near her cousin’s crawling body and took a picture.
She directed other student volunteers in the placement of the 2,977 symbolic markers on the hot and sunny September day.
Rancke did this in honor of her father, Todd Rancke, who died on Sept. 11, when she was just 11 years old.
“It’s really important what I’m doing now to myself and my family,” Rancke said. “I know they’re very proud because we’ve found a way to turn something so tragic, what happened 10 years ago, and really make a difference from heart.”
Rancke believes what she is doing for this year’s 9/11 anniversary would definitely make her father proud.
“I did have to grow up quickly as a result of the tragedy,” Rancke said. “I learned at a young age to cope with losing a loved one and what I’m doing today with the 9/11 anniversary events on campus is in his honor, as well as the other