Local students honor Veterans

Students in both Whitehall and Cardwell honored Veteran's at special ceremonies last week.

There was a packed crowd in attendance at the Whitehall program that took place on Veteran's Day in the Varsity Gym. After the presentation of colors by the Cheer Squad and performance of the Star Spangled Banner by the MS/HS band, Whitehall 6-12 Principal Hannah Nieskens welcomed the crowd to the event. Nieskens said our nation owes a great debt to the our Veteran's. During the course of the program, fifth grade students presented a tribute to the Bald Eagle.

The K-5 and High School Choir, under the direction of Janet Heilig, performed stunning renditions of "American Heart" and "America the Beautiful".

Veterans were asked to stand when their Branch was named during the middle school and high school bands performance of the "Marches of the Armed Forces."

A roll call of Veteran's was also displayed on a large screen, followed by a performance of Taps by the band.

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Superintendent John Sullivan, and the Retiring of Colors by the Cheer Squad.

The entire student body participated in the Cardwell program that began with students honoring the nearly 10 local Veteran's in attendance. Marta Nelson performed the Star Spangled Banner on the trumpet, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kindergarten through second grade students then did an amazing job performing "Thank You to Our Veteran's", which was followed by another great performance of "American Heart" by third to sixth grade students.

Fifth and sixth graders then read poems they had written for the program, followed by seventh and eighth grade students reading essay's they penned for Veteran's Day.

In her essay, Nelson said Veteran's can be a dad, a son, or a daughter, and they are also the people who've changed America.

Eighth grader Katie Whitehurst said this is a very special day for America and is just as important as the day it was created. She said their amount of sacrifice should never be forgotten.