Honoring service: OCHS students show their respect for veterans

Friday, Owen County High School had its annual student-led Veteran’s Day program. This year, juniors Hannah Strohmeier and Andi Burford took over planning the program, following the lead of graduates Mattie Cook and Amber Patton from the previous two years, and Mary Kennedy and Lindsay Slayback who started the program in 2008.
Many students participated in planning the program, decorating, reading poems, singing, interviewing the veterans, and making sure the entire day ran smoothly.
The day began with last-minute preparations and decoration, followed by the veteran interviews.
The veterans were then fed lunch thanks to Big Tricky’s Catering, followed by the annual veterans’ program. 
The guest speaker was President Abraham Lincoln impersonator Nelson Doyle. He surprised the veterans and students and made the program more interesting for all. Something new this year was the edition of oral histories. Veterans were asked questions in their interviews such as, “What advice would you give to students at OCHS pursuing the military?” and “What does Veteran’s Day mean to you?”
 A video was shown at the end of the program with clips of veteran responses. OCHS was glad to honor the veterans from our community, and can’t wait for next year’s program.
Supporters said the students did a wonderful job as always.
“It makes us proud as teachers to see this, to watch the process, to see the hard work, and then see the finished project when it all comes together. This is my favorite day of the year. This is what makes you want to be a teacher.,’ OCHS teacher Greg Wilhoite said.
It really was another successful year.  Mattie Cook and Amber were both able to come back from college and see the program and they were impressed and proud of the girls they had passed the tradition on to. The students enjoyed it, the veterans enjoyed it, we enjoyed it.
 

The Owen County High School Veteran’s Day Celebration was held Friday. Pictured are OCHS teacher Kevin Webster, Andi Burford, Hannah Strohmeier, Allyson Beverly and OCHS teacher Greg Wilhoite.

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Hannah Strohmeier and Andi Burford were in charge of this year’s Veteran’s Day celebration.

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The guest speaker was President Abraham Lincoln impersonator Nelson Doyle, in his role as President Abraham Lincoln, spoke to the crowd about serving the country.

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