On an early September morning, focus and perseverance brought Ojai Valley School sophomore Zayd Davis to the top of the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel for the eleventh and final time.
About an hour before this milestone, Zayd began his climb, along with his mother, Tami Davis, at the base of the hotel, and then proceeded to trek up and down the stairway of the structure in a feat meant to honor firefighters and other emergency responders who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Zayd and about 100 others completed the Memorial Stair Climb on Sept. 7, scaling a total of 110 floors to represent the 110 floors of the Twin Towers. The climb proved challenging for Zayd, but confidence in his ability prevailed.
“It was hard,” Zayd said, “but I mean, I knew I could do it.”
Across the nation, 9/11 stair climbs are held to honor the lives lost, support families, and promote fitness, activism, and personal challenges. Participants often carry extra weight to simulate the weight of firefighter gear, further honoring their sacrifice. These events have been ongoing since 2001.
The Ventura event is similarly dedicated to providing support to fire families.
Zayd’s father, OVS alum Shaun Davis, served in the United States Coast Guard and now works as a Battalion Chief with the Montecito Fire Department. His mother, Tami Davis, also is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. Zayd’s father was unable to make the climb, but that didn’t discourage Zayd.
“Since he couldn’t be there, it’s kind of like supporting him and doing it for him,” Zayd said.
Zayd climbed alongside his friend Matthew, whose father is also a firefighter.
On the morning of the event, there were spirited locals, including fire-wives, in attendance.
“There were a lot of firefighters in full gear,” Zayd noticed as he arrived.
Upon completion, Zayd received a challenge coin from Matthew’s dad that says Ventura Fire Honor Guard.
With more than 100 participants in the event, Zayd placed 29th, finishing the 110 flights in 1 hour and 2 minutes. His mother was close behind, finishing in 1 hours and 13 minutes.
The experience was so overwhelmingly positive that Zayd said he plans to participate next year.
“I definitely want to do it again next year,” Zayd said. “I’ll try to beat my previous time.”
The event was made possible because of The Ventura Fire Honor Guard, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the legacy of fallen firefighters.
Along with this, the Santa Barbara-based Pighetti Project and the Fire Family Collective supported the event, part of a larger effort to provide resources and connections to firefighter families.
“Each flight of stairs recognized different people who have passed from local departments,” Tami Davis said of the climb.
The event builds not only a tighter community but also allows for remembrance of the tragedy of 9/11. Whether it is local, state, or national recognition, events such as this allow for those lost to be honored for their service to the United States.
“My biggest takeaway from this is that people continue to honor the first responders on 9/11 and that it’s important to pay tribute,” Tami Davis said of the event.
Photos provided by Tami Davis
