The Allen County-Scottsville High School honored veterans and their
families and recalled the sacrifices made by all who serve during the school’s
annual Veterans Day assembly program Wednesday, November 8.
Organized by the cadets representing the school’s JROTC program, the
program featured the presentation of colors, a musical presentation by the
school’s choir, the playing of the Armed Forces medley by the Patriot band, a remembrance
video, and recognition of the veterans in attendance. Afterwards, a reception
followed for the veterans in the school’s JROTC classrooms.
In addition, three JROTC students were presented with the opportunity to
share their winning essays from a recent contest sponsored by Berry Global in
Franklin---essays centered on the question, “What a Veteran means to me.”
“To me, a veteran means courage, bravely, loyalty, and sacrifice,” first-place
essay winner Marcus Jones shared during the assembly. “It takes courage to
leave home and go oversees with no idea when you’ll be back home. Bravely is
when you don’t worry about yourself but you look out for your fellow brothers
and sisters to make sure they get home safe. Loyalty is serving the country you
love and honor. Loyalty is why a veteran fights for the freedom of Americans no
matter what race, sexuality, religion, or nationality but to fight for every
American. Sacrifice is possibly saying goodbye to your family knowing that you
may never see them again but you are willing to do it so they don’t ever have
to worry about being under attack. Veterans desire to be respected and have the
best when they come home. They deserve to be rewarded every single day of their
lives for what they do when they risk their life for all Americans.”
Cadet Kristie Morrison’s second-place essay revolved around her view as
the daughter of a veteran.
“Being the daughter of a veteran has changed the way I look at veterans,”
Morrison shared, adding, “It has changed my life.”
“Veterans are our nation’s finest,” noted third-place winner Austin Buchanan
in his essay shared at the program.
Over 90 essays were received with Berry Global selecting five winners at
AC-S. In addition to Jones, Morrison, and Buchanan, Matthew Witshey placed
fourth with Renee Hewitt earning fifth place honors. Jones also earned the
opportunity to read his winning essay to employees at Berry Global Monday
morning.
The high school program is the first of Veterans Day programs at each
school in the District as part of the annual recognition of Veterans Day in the
Allen County School District.