On Friday, November 10, Poplar Springs High School held its annual Veterans Day program. The program started with Poplar Springs Senior Class President Ella Womack welcoming everyone. Nathan Watford followed leading the audience in prayer. Some of Poplar Springs’ smallest Atomics then took the stage with the school’s kindergarten and first grade students leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The program’s opening finished with Poplar Springs student Trinity Sasser singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
The program continued with students in the second and third grade performing, This Land is Your Land. Teacher Chelsea Cushing then announcing this year’s winners for the various Veteran’s Day art contests. The first group announced was the kindergarten to second grade winners who had to create a banner honoring veterans. Those winners were third place Karson Clements, second place was Beau Brown, and first place was KK Peters. The students in third through fifth grade had to design a stamp for veterans, those winners were third place Gracelyn Pierce, second place Jesse Clark, and first place Paisley Corbitt. The students in sixth through eighth grade had to design a medal for Veteran’s Day. Those winners were third place Brendon Hinson, second place Ariana Allen, and first place LillieAnn Miller. Students in ninth through twelfth grade had to design a t-shirt. Those winners were in third place Carmen Schwarts and Dustin Sellers, second place Leighton Taylor and Ricky Sharpe, and in first place Caroline Russell. This was followed by a Salute to the Armed Forces with each military branch being recognized with students giving a brief history of each branch. The Army was read by Brayden Flores, the Navy was presented by Kylie Holton, the Air Force was read by Savanna Weiss, the Marines was recognized by Lailee Bell, the Coast Guard was presented by Anna Carnley, and the lesser-known military branch named Space Force was honored by Amelia Watford.
Poplar Springs Principal Laura Watford continued the program by introducing this year’s guest speaker. Poplar Springs Alumnus, Brigadier General Jeffery M. Smith was welcomed to the podium. A proud native of the Poplar Springs community, Smith started by speaking on the history of Veteran’s Day and how the special recognition originated after World War I. He noted originally called, Armistice Day in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower renamed the day to Veterans Day to recognize all branches of the military. He continued speaking on the importance of the day.
He then moved on to speaking about his military career and his responsibilities as being a Brigadier General. He encouraged each and every student to aim high and to think of the military as an option in their future plans. He explained to the students that he had not even considered the military as an option at the time he graduated. He commented on how his life changed when he realized that the military was a viable and smart option adding how thankful he was to some extraordinary teachers and supportive family members for their support when he chose to join. He added that through hard work and the desire to achieve his goal, he was able to climb up the ladder in the military to become a Brigadier General. Smith closed his speech by thanking the Veterans and their families for their sacrifices and service.
The program ended with a final performance by the school’s fourth grade students. Standing proudly in front of the guest the students recited a poem honoring veterans. Poplar Springs student Ella Womack closed the program by thanking everyone for attending as guests were able to end the morning with a reception in the school’s library.
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