Samantha Gregory had just come in from recess.
Images of the Twin Towers collapsing repeated on the classroom TV screen.
"No one really understood," Gregory said. "It seemed more like a storyline in a movie."
Gregory, now a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, attended a discussion on campus Thursday afternoon to talk about that fateful day, the death of Osama bin Laden and the reactions to his killing.
For Gregory and her generation, bin Laden has been the face of evil incarnate for more than half of their lives.
She heard about his death Sunday evening while studying for a final.
"People were celebrating — hooting and hollering," Gregory said. "I was appalled."
Jordan Finstad, 18, was texting with a friend when she was told to turn on the TV. The UW-L freshman was also in fourth grade on 9/11.
Bin Laden's death has her asking questions about what exactly happened and why.
"I don't think students know enough," Finstad said. "I don't know what I feel."
Some of the students doubted whether it was just or necessary to kill the terrorist mastermind rather than bring him to trial. Others saw the death as necessary, although not the celebration.
"We should celebrate the idea of killing terrorism, not a person," another student at the discussion said.
The students also speculated on the political ramifications, but mostly, they questioned what exactly happened, why it happened and if there were better options.
Questions also arose over whether or not bin Laden's burial at sea was the right way to handle his death and if people should have the right to see pictures of him dead.
Students expressed fears over retaliation and questioned what effect bin Laden's death will have on the war on terrorism.
However the students felt, discussion organizer and assistant professor of history Heidi Morrison encouraged them to think about why others felt differently.
"All different opinions are going to be respected here," Morrison said.
Many students participated to earn extra credit. Both Gregory and Finstad came because they were interested and wished it was something discussed more in class.
"I think I've had more political discussions in the past week than I have in the entire year," Gregory said.
"Any discussion is valuable," Finstad said.