Owen High School honors those lost on 9/11

Community comes together for Fifth Annual Stampede on the Stairs

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
Sept. 11, 2025

The first rays of sunshine had yet to peak over the mountains and pierce the thick fog that settled in the Swannanoa Valley, Sept. 11, as scores of Owen High School students and faculty welcomed local first responders, military veterans and Buncombe County Schools representatives to Warhorse Stadium.

As the Fifth Annual Stampede on the Stairs was nearly underway, Senior Army Instructor and retired U.S. Army Major Brook King reminded nearly 50 participants of the meaning of the event.

“Today we come together as patriots to remember what happened 24 years ago,” he said. “Those who were alive remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. May we never forget. To those who were not yet alive, may you also remember what we’re doing today and why we are doing it.”

Eleven teams, representing Owen athletics, JROTC, first responders, local veterans and school officials competed in the relay, which required individual members of each group to ascend to the top of the steps on the home side of the stadium 11 times. Participants passed batons made of a decommissioned firehose, inscribed with the names of the more than 400 first responders who died in the towers.

With the scoreboard displaying 10:28, marking the time of the fall of the North Tower and the digits 9 and 11, each team completed their final ascent together. Collectively, the teams climbed 1,980 steps to honor those who rushed toward the danger, in the midst of a national tragedy, in an attempt to save lives.

Competitors included representatives of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Swannanoa Fire Department, Black Mountain Fire Department and a member of the Black Mountain Police Department. Members of the Black Mountain VFW Post 9157 and others who served formed two teams for the event.

Black Mountain Town Councilmember Doug Hay participated in the competition, while Swannanoa Fire Chief Anthony Penland and Owen Principal Dawn Rookey where also in attendance.

The first team to finish consisted of Warhorse football players, while the baseball team claimed second. Last year’s winner, the Warlassies volleyball team, was the third to complete the final ascent. The winners were awarded commemorative coins, following the event.

The anniversary of the tragedy, also known as Patriot Day, is an opportunity to remember a terrible, but significant moment in the nation’s history, according to King.

“What really touches me today, is seeing these young people out here, who weren’t alive at the time, paying respect to those who perished on that day, 24 years ago,” he said.

The veteran, who established the annual event in 2021 with Buncombe County School Resource Officer and participant Matthew Owenby, emphasized the importance of unity in the face of national turmoil.

“When you are in the military, there is a reason why the tag on a uniform has the name on the right side,” King said. “On the other side, over your heart, lists the branch. It always said, “U.S. Army” or “U.S. Air Force,” and it’s the same with the police and firefighters. It’s about unification, not division.”

Arriving to the campus before 6 a.m. to begin the event was a noteworthy gesture from the youngest participants, he added.

“You came out here today and did something super special,” said King, who was in the U.S. Air Force Academy at the time of the attack. “It means a lot to me, as a combat veteran, who was part of the response to 9/11.”

The retired major was stationed in Kandahar three months later.

“My entire life turned upside down, but you know what?” he continued. “I was damn glad to be there, and I’d do it all over again right now, because who we are and what we stand for is special.”

The Stampede on the Stairs concluded with Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson, who competed in the climb, leading the pledge of allegiance, as participants faced the American flag at half mast on the southern end of the stadium.

Photos of the 2025 Stampede on the Stairs, and Owen High School tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.