Campuses across Northside held special ceremonies on Veterans Day to honor those who have fought and served to protect our country. Here's how schools celebrated:
More than 30 veterans and active duty personnel were honored at Carlos Coon's Veterans Day celebration. All branches of the military were represented, and several Carlos Coon staff members were honored for their military service. The patrols presented the colors, and students sang patriotic songs. Pictured are Sgt. Nina Ramon and David Ruiz (back) and Principal, MaryLou Mendoza and Capt. Orin Kendall (front).
Cody Elementary School invited veterans to share their thoughts about loyalty, courage, and commitment. Principal Kittiya Johnson also spoke, thanking all the veterans in the Cody community. Pictured is Melina Silva's first grade class showing their support.
Elrod Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day 2009 in style with the 140-member Elrod Choir singing a medley of all theme songs of each branch of the military service, led music teacher Anna Loudermilk.
Patriotic student-made art was displayed in a slide show. Local veterans in attendance were honored, including namesake Jimmy Elrod, a World War II Army Air Corp veteran, who spoke to the students and guests about patriotism and the importance of Veterans Day.
Staff, students, and Veterans gathered around the flagpole on a very sunny morning to celebrate Veterans Day at Fernandez Elementary. They joined school namesake and veteran, Raul B. Fernandez, his wife Sylvia, and US Air Force member Thomas Mason (pictured) around the flagpole to hear the fourth and fifth grade choir sing "America the Beautiful."
Those who attended enjoyed a beautiful ceremony that included performances from GT students, the Fernandez Choir, and a special performance of "Taps" was played by Javier Martinez, the husband of a fourth grade teacher. Afterwards, a video was broadcast to all students teaching them about the history of Veterans Day.
Veterans Day began with the Dragon Drummers playing a procession as all veterans were escorted to their seats by their children or family member. The Stevens AFJROTC presented colors.
Principal Jeff Davenport gave a brief welcome to all, and then the faculty and school choir sang "The Armed Forces Medley." Members of each branch stood to be recognized during their song. Teacher Anthony Symcheck gave a Veterans Day speech, and guest speaker; Specialist David Palasek from the Wounded Warriors Village, spoke to the assembly about the privilege and honor of being in the Armed Forces.
Monika Stevens, a fifth grade student, next spoke about the school's Unknown Soldier table display and the meaning of each item on the table. "Taps" was played by a Stevens trumpet player. For the closing, the school and faculty choir sang "This Land is Your Land." Afterwards, all veterans in attendance, along with their families were invited to a breakfast in their honor.
Flags were flying in the breeze as Glenoaks Elementary School honored our veterans on with a ceremony in the school gym. Veterans from all branches of service were invited and recognized for their service to our country.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by Cub Scout Pack 191. The Neff Middle School choir, directed by Vanessa Alvarado, performed "The Star Spangled Banner," "Dona Nobis Pacem," and "Our America." Five first grade students dressed as a bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, the U.S. flag, and a red rose, and second grade students presented information about each symbol. The third grade led by Glenoaks' music teacher, Sarah Franco, performed a wonderful routine with red, white, and blue plates to "You're a Grand Old Flag."
Guest speaker Jason Pulliam, a US Marine Corps veteran, talked about the history of Veterans Day, what it means to be a veteran, and inspired students to serve our country in the future.
In addition to the ceremony, students are learning more about veterans by exploring items in a traveling trunk, viewing memorabilia in a display case, and through information presented by fifth graders on morning announcements.
Kuentz Elementary School's first Veterans Day celebration was a simple yet special event organized by social studies representative Olivia Hero. All students, staff, and veterans gathered at the flag pole as the O'Connor AFJROTC raised the flags in a beautiful ceremony.
School namesake and veteran Charles Kuentz and school counselor Sandi Vasquez played a wonderful trumpet duet of America the Beautiful. Kindergarten teacher Mary Cissell also presented the school with a flag that was carried on a mission in Bagdad, Iraq and brought back by her son Maj. Rodolfo Cancino. The fourth grade school choir, led by music teacher Lee Towell, also sang for the event.
Pictured are Cissell, Principal Lori Gallegos, and Kuentz.
More than 150 veterans and visitors attended Langley Elementary School's Veterans Day reception and presentation. Parents and community members were encouraged to sign the wall of honor. Pictured are Langley fourth grade teacher Robert Corchado, third grade teacher Robert Green, and third grade teacher Danny Foster.
Lewis Elementary celebrated Veterans Day with a moving tribute as the AFJROTC Honor Guard from Stevens High School led off each assembly. Lewis Choir and LEO groups sang patriotic songs.
Honored guests included namesake Bob Lewis, NISD Trustee Lynn Britton, US Air Force (retired) Lt. Col. Peter J. Godwin, and veterans from the community. Godwin, the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for the AFJROTC at Stevens, inspired Lewis students with a heartfelt speech about the meaning of Veterans Day.
The Lewis Student Council greeted guests, and Garret Reger and Angel Bierce (pictured with Godwin) hosted the program. Lewis students and staff filled the hallways with tributes to Veterans. Awards were given for the "What My Country Means to Me" art and writing contests. Nathaniel Cardenas won the art contest and Kaitlyn Stanley won the essay contest.
Principal Sutton stands with Chief Tracey Flemons, US Navy, who addressed students, parents and staff in honor of our Veterans. Students brought pictures of family members who were Veterans or are serving our country to honor them as well.
Students in a local Boy Scout Group led the ceremony with a flag presentation and marching across a map of the United States painted in the courtyard by Mrs. Kincaid, a 4th Grade Teacher.
After the Warren High School AFJROTC presented the colors, third graders from Martha Flores' class led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge, and the Warren Choir sung the National Anthem.
Guest speaker Master Sgt. Kyle M. Griffith-Dixon was followed by the Raba Choir singing the Armed Forces Medley. To close the ceremony, everyone sang "America the Beautiful."
Wanke Elementary School honored veterans and members of the Armed Forces on with Ed Hutton, a Navy veteran, telling a heart warming story of Swabie the Sea Dog, who was lost at sea. Hutton saved the life jacket he made for Swabie. One lucky fourth grader was chosen to put the life jacket on a stuffed dog to demonstrate how Swabie looked.
Students at Ward Elementary School wore their red, white, and blue and sang numerous patriotic songs to honor veterans. Members of the Taft High School AFJROTC presented the colors and also wowed students with an armed drill routine. The ceremony, held in front of the school by the flagpole, was broadcast live to all students.
From music to art to technology, Jefferson Middle School showed its patriotic spirit with a touching tribute to veterans. The 20082 Texas O'Connor High School color guard unit under the direction of Master Sgt. Lisa Moberly opened the assembly.
Guest speaker was Col. Lisa Firmin, 2009 NISD Pillar of Character, who stressed the opportunities a military career offers everyone, especially women. The inspirational speech was followed by a musical performance of the Girls Choir under the direction of Susan Opal. A veteran project by eighth grader Aundrea Vickers was showcased as well as a PowerPoint created with photographs of veterans brought by eighth grade students.
Two students, Emily Gangnuss and Matthew Clardy won first and second place respectively in the Patriot Pen Essay sponsored by VFW Post 76. Emily won $200 and will advance to the next level of competition. Matthew won $100.
Zachry students and staff honored and remembered one of their own - Marine Reserve Sgt. Cesar Ruiz, who was killed Oct. 31 when he stepped on a land mine in Afghanistan. Members of the Zachry and Taft grad's family attended the ceremony, which included renditions of "Amazing Grace" by San Antonio Pipes and Drums, "God Bless America" by English teacher Denise Dunn, "Our America" by the Zachry Choir, and "Taps" by Taft High School freshman Justin Raymond.
Guest speaker Col. Bill Doran, retired from the US Air Force, highlighted the meaning of Veterans Day, which is to show our love and appreciation to all the men and women in uniform who have served our country and protected our freedoms.
In addition, the JROTC units from Sam Houston High School and Taft High School conducted a "Pass in Review."
Former NISD JROTC instructors James Thompson and Joseph LaRocca helped kick of the Veterans Day Exhibit at the NISD Museum.
The exhibit, which features military memorabilia, newspaper articles, and actual uniforms also pays homage to all former NISD students who have served in the military. Pictured is NISD namesake Jim Carson viewing the exhibit.
The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 16 at the museum, 6632 Bandera Road (located in the old Leon Valley school).
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