Stevenson Tose'-Rigell

“I'd probably say it was a couple of hours at least we were out there on the podium waiting around. We didn't know what was going on at the time,”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell recalled waiting for hours on the podium for the president's arrival without knowing what was going on.

“They were trying to entertain us a little bit and, you know, keep, everybody feeling kind of excited … but we're waiting around for hours, you know, it's like, 'Man, this is this a long time waiting around for someone.'”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell described how people tried to entertain the children while they waited for hours for the president.

“I always knew my mom was a rock star, you know? In my mind, you know, she was my superhero,”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell described his mother, the school's former principal, as a rock star and his superhero.

“You know, like, once a year, [she] reincarnates right onscreen again.”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell said it feels like his mother reincarnates onscreen once a year on the anniversary of 9/11.

“It feels like she comes back,”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell said seeing his mother in archival footage each year makes it feel like she comes back.

“We're pretty much [thinking], 'Sounds like we're under attack,'”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell recalled thinking that it sounded like the country was under attack.

“So yeah, it was definitely far off from the script.”

Stevenson Tose'-Rigell · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Tose'-Rigell said Bush's address was far off from the planned education policy speech.