Hiland High School to hold assembly to honor veterans

  • By Kelley Mohr
  • October 13, 2011
  • 313
                        
Summary: Veterans, their families and members of the public are invited to the second Annual Veterans Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Hiland High School. Story: In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.” In Eastern Holmes County, the students and staff at Hiland High School wish to honor that purpose. The second Annual Veterans Assembly will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 1:15 p.m. in the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center at Hiland High School. Veterans and their families are invited to attend, as well as any interested members of the public. A reception for Veterans and their spouses will be held after the assembly. The members of the Hiland National Honors Society (NHS) and Student Council established this assembly last November in honor of area veterans. Many members of the school staff and student body have relatives in the military, explained Vicki Antequera, a Spanish teacher at Hiland who helped organize the event. For this reason, they thought it was time Hiland did something in recognition. Not only does the assembly honor veterans, it also offers students a chance to learn the many ways in which veterans deserve to be honored at such an assembly. “For everything they've done for us, the least we can do is show them the respect they rightfully deserve,” said DeVon Miller, a member of Student Council and event organizer. Last year, 42 veterans attended the ceremony. The members of NHS and Student Council hope to see even more veterans in attendance this year for an assembly that the students are planning largely on their own. “The kids are actually more involved in planning and executing it this year,” said Antequera. “This year, they divided up into committees and they are doing everything.” Organizing such a large event is a lot of work, but the great turnout and the smiles on everyone’s faces made all the planning worth it, said Miller. “We put in quite a bit of work to organize and prepare for it, but with everyone in NHS and Student Council working together, it makes it easier to get things accomplished. However, the hard work is definitely worth it. Just seeing the veterans enjoying themselves and talking to them during the reception makes it well worth it,” he said. The assembly will consist of the recognition of the veterans, accompanied by a Color Guard, slide show, poetry readings and songs performed by the Hiland High School Band and the Varsity Singers. The ceremony will close with the playing of Taps by the band. Afterward, veterans and their spouses are invited to a reception during which they can talk to students while being served food and beverages. “Last year there were kids sitting at every table talking the entire time with the veterans and I heard a lot of positive things, not just from the veterans, but from the kids too. This is probably, out of all the activities that we do, the most meaningful to the kids and the veterans that come,” said Antequera. “I had kids saying, ‘They were telling me such cool stories.’ A lot of them don’t realize what veterans have done, so actually getting to sit down with them and talk to them means a lot to the kids.” This interaction is a rewarding learning experience for the students, so much so that the members of NHS and Student Council are committed to holding this assembly every year. “The most rewarding aspect of the assembly is seeing the smiles on all of the veterans faces and just being able to have the privilege of honoring those who fought for us so that we can continue to enjoy the freedom we have today,” said Miller. The public is welcome and all veterans and their families are invited to attend. Veterans should RSVP to Hiland by Oct. 28 by calling 330-893-2626.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load