Wyoming Education Association

Winter 2012

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/99516

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 14 of 31

Wyoming Education Association member Tonya Washington helps kids pack boxes for Operation Shoebox. Douglas Middle School's after-school program, S.W.A.G. (Students Working to Achieve Greatness), and Douglas' very own Friends of Rachel, received help from the Douglas Education Association to adopt a military troop to support this school year. Through Operation Shoebox, the students gathered donations and shipped them overseas. "We think it is important for our students to become more globally aware, and what better way than in supporting our troops who are so far from home," said Washington. Hot Spring County SD#1 Veteran's Day Assembly Over 800 community members, students, staff and honored veterans packed the Hot Springs County School District #1 auditorium on November 9, 2012, to celebrate Veteran's Day. ing's way of providing safe trick-or-treating community on Halloween. Parents bring nion, where they can trick-or-treat their ver the building. The tables are hosted by on campus, such as the Student WEA (SWEA), campus groups. SWEA's table this year was ovided a small pumpkin puzzle that the kids e that produced "smoke" they could play pick out a few pieces of candy. Starting with Thermopolis Middle School's (TMS) ifth grade class giving their rendition of "This Land Is Your Land" and ending with "Taps", the district's annual assembly honored those who have served or are currently serving in our Nation's armed forces. Continuing this annual tradition, TMS teacher and WEA member Kathie Richardson organized this event for the second year. Growing each year, this year's assembly featured songs, video tributes, student presentations, and a keynote address honoring the men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. "I come from a military family, with a long history of family serving in the military," emphasized Richardson, whose great-x6-grandfather served in the Revolutionary War. She continued, "I get the pleasure of seeing a veteran's face light up when he is told "thank you for serving and giving us our freedoms and liberties." I hope someday people treat my son and nephew (both of whom are currently serving) the same way we are treating these veterans." The keynote address was given by Col. Scott M. Fox, Vice Commander of Twentieth Air Force (Air Force Global Strike Command) out of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. Col. Fox focused on three points as he addressed the large crowd, starting with a brief overview of Veteran's Day/Armistice Day, followed by deining the term "veteran" for HSCSD#1 students, and inally, recognizing the veterans in the crowd to thunderous applause. Col. Fox wove into his remarks Battery A, 300th Army Field Artillery unit from Thermopolis, one of three Army National Guard Artillery units to serve in the Korean War. The unit received a Presidential Citation for their efforts during that conlict and is the subject of several books. Col. Fox ended his address by asking each student in the audience to thank a veteran, but also asking the many veterans present to share their stories with the students. Other activities included a singing of our National Anthem by WEA member Dustin Olsen's Honor Choir, recognition of the HSCHS graduates who have served or are currently serving in our military, and a rendition of Taps played by Mat Cordingly, son of WEA member Sharon Cordingly, a teacher at Ralph Witters Elementary. A reception in honor of those attending veterans followed the presentation, hosted by Mrs. Richardson's Middle School Student Council. WINTER 2012 Winter 2012.indd 15 | wyoea.org 15 12/14/12 3:23 PM

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Wyoming Education Association - Winter 2012