DHS Supplies an Honorable Day for Veterans
NEIRAD enilno edition
For many high school students in America, Veterans' Day simply means no homework and no school. Instead of learning about our beloved soldiers, students sleep in. Playing Call of Duty is about as close as many of them get to remembering our veterans. However, at DHS, students not only learned about our soldiers that serve overseas, but they also got to meet them.
Assistant Principal Donna Russo headed the activities with help from special education teacher Marion Pachman and chemistry teacher Pam Zago. “It was a great teachable moment for our students. They got to learn firsthand from a variety of different war veterans about what it means to serve our country,” Assistant Principal Russo said.
The Veterans’ Day schedule started off with a short Blue Wave News clip informing the students about the day’s special schedule. It then followed with a short breakfast for the veterans. After the first time slot, all of DHS went outside where the flag raising ceremony was held. “It was beautiful,” junior Timothy Murphy said.
The ceremony consisted of the Tudor Singers performing the National Anthem, while a statue of the flag raising at Iwo Jima was wheeled in front of the singers. Mrs. Russo then introduced all DHS alum veterans including physics teacher George Marrash, English and ALP teacher Steven Leete, computer science and personal finance teacher Patty Brooks, and athletic director John Keleher.
After the mandatory flag raising ceremony, classes continued while assemblies were held in the auditorium and English/History Learning Connections Room. Veteran guest speakers representing the Iraq War, the Korean War, and World War II were present to educate the students about a career in the military. “I really liked the people that came here to speak,” senior Lauren Perkins said.
There were also numerous movies and clips to educate the students about American’s military history. The movies consisted of “War Letters”, “Hallowed Grounds”, and “The War.” “The movies were a great way to learn about the terrors of war,” senior David Bigelow said. For many students, these movies taught students how brave and courageous the men and women fighting for the United States are, and “how they risk their lives for us every day,” head librarian Jackie Bennett said.
In addition to the different assemblies and movies that were taking place, there was a Reflection Wall in the cafeteria. The staff put up the wall, which was designed as a way for students to express their gratitude for the veterans and reflect on how inspirational/meaningful these veterans have been for them. “The reflection wall was great,” senior John Holmgren said.
The general consensus was that Veterans Day was a huge success. “I think Mrs. Russo and Mrs. Zago have done a wonderful job planning and coordinating today’s festivities. This year’s schedule makes the day a true learning experience,” Community Council president senior Nicole Granath said.
Many thought it was a great way to educate the student body. “I thought they did a really great job on the ceremony outside. I think it was great that everyone got to go out and see it,” librarian Mrs. Bennett said.
Guidance Secretary Mliss Conetta also thought the day was a huge hit. “It was great to see war veterans that were DHS alum and how much the students respected them. I thought the day was a great tribute to our war veterans and made me proud to be a part of this community.”
While most thought the day was a success, many students saw some areas for improvement. “While I thought the day was educational, I wish more teachers would let us view the videos and watch the war veterans give speeches in the auditorium,” sophomore Kylie Maier said. “My friend was raving about the last war veteran who spoke. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see him,” freshman Colin Sullivan said.
However, in the end, the day seemed to be a big hit for most of the faculty and student body. It was a day that honored those who fight for the United States of America.
