From Tragedy to Service: The Legacy of ONVO at The O’Neal School
On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the darkest days in its history. As the nation grappled with the devastation of terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, communities across the country searched for ways to respond with hope, compassion, and unity.
At The O’Neal School, that response came in the form of student-led service.
In the days following 9/11, Upper School students felt compelled to take action. Led by freshman Jamaal Sebastian-Barnes ’05 and supported by French teacher Lyn Cagle (now retired), students established the O’Neal Volunteers Outreach organization (ONVO), creating an avenue for meaningful service and community engagement.
“We were a group looking for a way to give back that was relevant to the community,” Sebastian-Barnes later reflected.
While service opportunities already existed on campus, the events of September 11 inspired students to come together with a renewed sense of purpose. Motivated by a desire to help others rather than simply fulfill requirements or build résumés, ONVO quickly became a powerful force for good within the school and beyond.
One of the group's first initiatives was a school-wide effort to support members of the New York City Fire Department. Students and families collected donations, created cards and letters, and sent messages of encouragement to first responders directly impacted by the attacks. From that initial project grew food drives, community outreach efforts, and volunteer programs that would become a hallmark of student life at O’Neal.
The organization adopted a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson as its guiding philosophy:
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
Over the years, ONVO launched numerous initiatives that left a lasting impact on both the school and local community. In 2004, students coordinated the "One Thousand Wishes for Peace" project, folding and displaying 1,000 paper cranes throughout Bradshaw Hall as a symbol of remembrance and hope. The organization also established O’Neal’s first campus blood drives and created annual talent shows that raised funds for causes ranging from Hurricane Katrina relief to earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti.
In 2012, ONVO expanded its commitment to service by leading O’Neal’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity, including participation in Patsy’s House, a special build honoring one of the school’s founding parents. Habitat builds remain a regular volunteer opportunity for students today.
As the organization evolved, ONVO joined forces with Key Club and other student volunteer groups such as the St. Joseph's Club. Since 2019, these efforts have operated collectively through ONV/Key Club, continuing the mission established by students nearly a quarter-century ago. Members participate in Habitat for Humanity projects, clothing and food drives, visits to local retirement communities, stuffed animal collections, school events, and countless other acts of service.
Reflecting on the organization’s origins, Cagle noted, “I think one of the most important components of the ONVO is the fact that it was created in its own uniqueness by O’Neal students.”
As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, The O’Neal School remembers not only a day of profound loss, but also the spirit of unity and service that emerged in its aftermath. The legacy of ONVO stands as a testament to the power of student leadership and the belief that even in difficult moments, compassion can create lasting change.
Today, the mission that began in response to a national tragedy continues through generations of O’Neal students who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to serving others. It remains one of the school’s most enduring examples of turning adversity into purpose and ensuring that the lessons of September 11 are remembered through action, service, and community.
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