Frankfort D157-C students honor veterans at assemblies

FRANKFORT, IL — Students, staff, parents and Frankfort community members honored local veterans at events at all three Frankfort School District 157-C schools in celebration of Veterans Day.

All three schools taught lessons centered on Veterans Day and hosted assemblies on November 11, open to the community, full of patriotic songs, stories, artwork and more honoring veterans. Every attendee took time to reflect on the sacrifices veterans made for freedom in the United States and cheer on veterans in attendance for their dedication to serving others.

At Grand Prairie Elementary School, guests walked by a military Jeep parked at the entrance of the school that was loaned by second-grader Kenzie Hardy’s grandfather. At the assembly, second-graders performed a musical tribute to veterans, as kindergartners and first-graders looked on. Students sang and performed choreographed dance routines to classic patriotic songs, led by music teacher Brooke Turnbough. Songs were supplemented by video clips of students thanking veterans and showcasing artwork created for veterans, with help from tech teacher Dave Theilen.

“I am so proud of Mrs. Turnbough and our second-grade students for hosting such a heartwarming performance to express our deepest gratitude for our veterans,” Grand Prairie Principal Kirsten Frankovich said. “My hope is that the assembly brought a smile to our veterans’ faces. I can’t think of a better way to say thank you to the brave men and women that fought for our country. I hope the students enjoyed celebrating the veterans and honoring them for their service!”

At Chelsea Intermediate School, veterans enjoyed a breakfast prepared for them, followed by an assembly including third-, fourth- and fifth-graders performing songs for dozens of veterans in attendance. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts conducted a flag ceremony, attendees said the Pledge of Allegiance, students provided background information about each song they performed and attendees heard from a veteran who gave a brief talk about leadership. Physical education teacher Matt Dykema also presented a PowerPoint featuring photos of current family members of Chelsea students and staff who are veterans.

Additionally, Chelsea had three popsicle sales in the fall, and money from the sales goes to postage for care packages that are sent to troops in the U.S. and around the world.

“The Veterans Day Ceremony means so much to the Chelsea school community,” Principal Doug Wernet said. “The students and staff work hard to portray their understanding of the holiday and respectfully pay their tributes to the veterans in attendance. The students truly reflect on the freedom we are afforded thanks to the sacrifice of the men and women of the US Armed Forces, past and present. As a principal, I couldn’t be more proud of our kids.”

At Hickory Creek Middle School, seventh-graders presented an assembly in honor of veterans and let veterans take center stage during it. Students passed around a microphone, allowing veterans in attendance to introduce themselves and tell students briefly about their service. The assembly featured a presentation from seventh-grade CADETS Troop 71, a performance of the Star Spangled Banner and an original “Thank You” song, recognition of all veterans in attendance, and veteran speakers.

Following this presentation, a donation of more than $3,500 was announced from Hickory Creek to Honor Flight Chicago. This money was raised this fall through popsicle sales, classroom collections, sales of paper flags and stars in the school’s front office and a pizza lunch.

Also at Hickory Creek, on November 7, the Symphonic Band and Hickory Creek Orchestra, directed by Doug Adams, Shannon Shanahan and Alyson Bauman, performed a patriotic concert for the community, honoring veterans. Special guests Black Willow Brass Quintet and Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland were also in attendance.

Mayor Holland narrated some of the band’s patriotic song selections, providing history and background on Veterans Day and the songs, themselves, including “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

Members of the Lincoln-Way East High School Junior Air Force ROTC presented the colors during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and following the song’s performance, everyone in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Veterans in attendance at the concert were asked to stand when they heard their branch’s song played during “Marches of the Armed Forces”, and the audience gave veterans and the student musicians a standing ovation.

The District’s Band and Orchestra Boosters generously donated refreshments, decorations and medals for veterans at the concert, and collected for the seventh grade’s Honor Flight fundraiser.

“I thought the Veterans Day Concert was a great success,” said Cori Chojnacki, president of the Band and Orchestra Boosters. “The students practice from August until November to prepare for this concert, so they put a lot of time and effort into the pieces to make sure they honor the veterans appropriately. I hope they can feel proud of their part in honoring those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

“The Boosters are proud and humbled to sponsor the concert. This year, we provided mini flags for each branch of the military, and I had a couple of veterans tell me they recently lost a comrade and ask if they could take a flag in their friend’s honor. As a matter of fact, one veteran was attending a funeral the day after the concert and said he was going to put the flag in the casket with his friend. This was very emotional for me.”