The Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District honors veterans, active military and their guests at both the Ste. Genevieve and Bloomsdale campuses in recognition of Veterans Day.
Ste. Genevieve Elementary held its program on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Performing Arts Center, and Bloomsdale Elementary will hold its program next Monday, Nov. 14. The high school and middle school Veterans Day Tribute ceremony was held on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the high school. All local veterans were welcome, and students personally invited veterans as their guests, as well.
At Ste. Genevieve Elementary’s assembly, each grade level had the opportunity to participate! Fifth grader Grace Lipp sang the National Anthem, and fifth graders Tess Huffman and Bailey Rayoum were the student hosts. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the winners of the SGE Veterans Day art contest, and signed by fifth grade students who have learned the pledge in American Sign Language from Mrs. Tyne Huck. Kindergarten students led the Poppy Pledge, first grade students performed the poem “Poppy, Poppy,” second grade students created a video thanking veterans for their service, third grade students sang “God Bless America,” fourth grade students led the recognition of veterans and military members, and fifth grade students led the White Table Ceremony. Throughout the week, students learned about what it means to be a United States veteran.
Ste. Genevieve High School, Ste. Genevieve Middle School, and Valle Catholic hosted a luncheon for veterans prepared with contributions from local business sponsors mentioned below. Following the luncheon, the Veterans Day Parade began at the American Legion and wound through downtown past Valle, Ste. Genevieve Middle School, Ste. Genevieve Elementary and back behind Ste. Genevieve High School. Small American flags lined the parade route, where middle school students in the National Junior Honor Society had placed them the day before, to honor members of the military, both current and retired, who protect our freedoms. Students and staff at the schools waved banners and flags during the parade to thank our veterans for their service.
The Veterans Day Tribute held in the Peggy J. Johnson Gymnasium included:
Opening remarks by student hosts SGHS Student Council President Lindsey Crump, eighth grader Kennedy Bowen, and SGHS National Honor Society President Arie Taylor;
A presentation of the colors by VFW Post 2210 Color Guard;
A performance of the National Anthem by the Ste. Genevieve High School Chorale;
The pledge of allegiance by SGHS senior Michael Speakman, who will be enlisting in the armed services upon graduation;
a keynote by guest speaker CW05 Kelly Bonds, U.S. Army, who was introduced by eighth grader Kennedy Bowen;
A recognition of: all veterans in attendance, local distinguished veterans who have recently passed away, SGHS alumni in Active Duty, and students planning to enlist;
A performance of “God Bless America” by the SGMS Advanced Choir;
Graphics and videos created by the SGHS Broadcast Team and Dragon’s Lair Productions students Logan Moore, Nolan Walls, Collin Abt, and Noah Burr, featuring clips from students and SG R-II alumni service members stationed around the world;
A speech by sAirman First Class Nolan Klump, a 2020 SGHS graduate stationed at Shaw Air Force Base with the 20th Fighter Wing;
A performance of “God Bless America” by the Ste. Genevieve Middle School Band;
A performance of “A Tribute to the Armed Services” by the Ste. Genevieve High School Chorale;
SGHS Band teacher John Mooney’s performance of “Taps” and a three-gun volley in memory of veterans who have died; and
Closing remarks from Superintendent and mother of a Navy Veteran, Dr. Julie Flieg.