Ste. Genevieve R-II Honors Veterans, Service Members Through School Programs

The Ste. Genevieve R-II School District honored veterans, active military and their guests last week at both the Bloomsdale and Ste. Genevieve campuses.

Bloomsdale Elementary hosted its veterans program on November 5, Ste. Genevieve Elementary had its program on November 7 at the Performing Arts Center, and the high school and middle school Veterans Day tribute ceremony was November 8 at the high school.

All local veterans were welcome to attend, and students personally invited veterans as their guests as well.

At both elementary school events, every grade level had a role to play in the programs, whether it was through speaking, participating in the White Table ceremonies to remember those missing in action or other performances.

Each veteran and active military member was recognized by having their name and the relationship to a student announced.

At Bloomsdale Elementary, the Community Outreach lead group presented an acronym for America. At Ste. Genevieve Elementary, the Signing Dragons lead group presented the Pledge of Allegiance in American Sign Language.

Students in both elementary schools participated in contests to show their appreciation for veterans who have served the nation. The contests were hosted and judged by VFW Auxiliary members Sharon Giesler and Lois Flieg, who presented the students with prizes from the VFW Post 2210.

Bloomsdale Elementary students participated in an essay contest, and the winners included:

n Preschool — Aleah Terry, first; Chloe Dorris, second; Iris Schwent, third.

n Kindergarten — Brynlee Berkbigler, first; Rogann Zuspann, second; Grace Warren, third; Mia Stoll, fourth.

n First grade — Claire Dorris, first; Emmie Dorenkamp, second; Trey Roth, third.

n Second grade — Rylan Malone, first; Nolan Wolk, second.

n Third grade — Noah Aubuchon, first; McKinnley Vogt, second; Charlotte Mees, third.

n Fourth grade — William Elder, first; Clara Carlson, second; Aniston Cremer, third.

n Fifth grade — Clementine Birkenstock, first; Ella-Grace Gasner, second; Andrew Casteel, third.

Ste. Genevieve Elementary students participated in a coloring and art contest, and the winners included:

n Preschool – Camden Kreitler, first; Lydia Jokerst, second; and Hazel Scoggin, third.

n Kindergarten — Sophie Wolk, first; Zoey Grass, second; Monroe Kelley, third.

n First grade — Rein Linsin, first; McKenzi Amschler, second; Elly Kettinger, third.

n Second grade — Kindall Coleman, first; Trusten Fite, second; Letty  Adams, third.

n Third frade — Sydney Nesslein, first; Addison Wilson, second; Nevaeh Polly, third.

n Fourth grade — Ava Zerwig, first; Gabi Watts, second; Kimberly Banderas, third;

n Fifth grade — Kathryn Herzog, first; Olyvia Beckerman, second; Dylan Cash, third.

The Veterans Day tribute at the high school included:

n performances by the middle school and high school bands;

n a keynote by guest speaker retired staff sergeant Scott Johnson, who was introduced by his daughter and Ste. Genevieve High School senior Ingrid Cervantes;

n patriotic commentary from senior Nolan Klump, who has enlisted in the delayed entry program in the U.S. Air Force;

n graphics and videos created by the Ste. Genevieve High School Broadcast Team and Dragons Lair Productions, featuring clips from students and Ste. Genevieve R-II alumni service members stationed around the world; and

n Ste. Genevieve High School senior Bryce Trollinger’s performance of “Taps” and a three-gun volley in memory of veterans who have died.

Those who were involved in the event included: the middle school and high school bands; the Student Veterans Assembly Committee (Skyler Forrester, Madison Viox, Haley Irwin and Molly Bahr); the Ste. Genevieve High School Broadcasting Team, Student Council, Dragons Lair Productions, boys and girls basketball teams, football program and chapters of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, FFA, Students Against Destructive Decisions; and Ste. Genevieve Middle School Student Council.

Before the veterans program began at the high school, Ste. Genevieve Middle School and Ste. Genevieve High School hosted a luncheon for veterans prepared by the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter members with contributions from the following local business sponsors: Veterans Home Care, Rozier’s Country Mart, Cafe Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve McDonald’s, Jodi Flieg, Oberle Meats and Parkwood Meadows Senior Living.

(Information from the Ste. Genevieve R-II School District.)

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