North Students To Honor U.S. War Veterans

It’s one thing to read about the sacrifices of veterans in books and watch video clips on television; it’s quite another to sit across from them and hear their stories firsthand.

Two North Middle School students did just that in preparation for this year’s inaugural Memorial Day Program on May 23.

Collin Dedrick and Alexandria Paris prepared interview questions and were filmed interviewing veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The entire eighth-grade class, veterans and the community will be able to see the clips during the program.

Eighth-graders Caroline Olen, Cami Cieslewicz, Marissa Igunbor, Katie Kruk, Mariana Martinez and Matthew Henningsen will read their award-winning Americanism essays, and North’s music department will perform patriotic songs.

Art students will have the auditorium lobby decorated to reflect the reverence of Memorial Day, and veterans will receive homemade thank-you cards from the eighth- graders. Caitlin Ellfson designed the cover for the program.

“Taps” will be played, and a moment of silence will be held to honor veterans.

Afterward, delicious desserts made by students in family and consumer science classes will be provided. Starbucks has donated coffee.

In addition, students are creating webpages to honor active duty military and veterans, including biographies of local soldiers and summaries of conflicts from World War I to today. The sites are expected to launch May 21 and be linked onto North’s website (http://nms.sdmf.schoolfusion.us/).

Schedule for Thursday, May 23:

• 9 a.m. - Gather in North Middle School Auditorium
• 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. - Program
• 10:15 – 11 a.m. – Reception/refreshments