Students gathered in the auditorium Nov. 12 to honor living and deceased veterans.

Parker Ostrander and Kennedy Niles led the program. Niles and Ostrander were selected by Government teacher Jordan Pollock due to their involvement in Boys and Girls State, a program in which students learn about local, county and state government.  

“I was nervous to talk in front of the whole school, but I was very honored that I was picked to speak,” Ostrander said.

The assembly started with the veterans placing the American flag on stage. Then, students and staff stood as Ostrander led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Legion Historian Harold Blatt then took the stage and spoke about the fallen veterans and how they will never be forgotten. Blatt spoke about how this year’s Veterans Day marked the 100th anniversary of WWI ending. Blatt explained that Veterans Day began as Armistice Day.  The Armistice was signed between the allies of WWI at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.   

Next, Bryan McKenzie from Scotland played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

Junior Amber Hettinger then set the table of remembrance. Hettinger said, “It was a great experience, and I was honored to be a part of this program.”

The assembly finished up with the veterans retrieving the flags and the band playing patriotic songs for each of the branches of the military. Veterans stood as their song was played. “A feeling of freedom and pride were felt as the assembly was over,” sophomore Ben Reis said.