TCCHS took the time to honor those who have served and thank those currently serving in the armed forces this Veterans Day.
Students at Thomas County Central High School were given a unique opportunity Tuesday to learn about a graduate who gave his life serving his country and to thank those currently serving in the armed forces this holiday season.
“Our students recognized veterans by viewing the ceremony and then created Christmas cards with encouraging words for our current military servicemen and women,” Principal Trista Jones said. “We feel that it made Veterans Day more meaningful to them and gave them a way to show their support of our troops.”
First, a special Veterans Day ceremony was held in the front lobby and broadcast throughout the school. Administrators and special guest Maj. Joseph Ruzicka, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, spoke of the importance of recognizing Veterans Day and specifically of Spc. Shannon Chihuahua, a TCCHS graduate and U.S. Army combat medic who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan in 2010.
“Our Veteran's Day ceremony gave us the opportunity to publicly recognize and thank all of our veterans and also to pay special tribute to our own Shannon Chihuahua, who gave his life while serving,” Jones said.
Ruzicka, who spoke about Chihuahua’s service and dedication, said the armed forces need individuals “willing to serve selflessly” like Chihuahua did. He said such selflessness starts at a young age, and the seed for such selflessness should be planted and encouraged to grow.
Then, Chihuahua’s wife Kristen hung a portrait of her late husband above a special plaque dedicated to the fallen hero that was placed on a front lobby wall. She and their children, Annabelle and Sophia, were in attendance.
“I felt like it was a good thing to do for Shannon and for his memory, and also for the students at the high school, to realize that their lives will make a big impact in the world,” Kristen Chihuahua said.
Also in attendance was Chihuahua’s mother Dennice Dinkins, who works in the TCCHS food nutrition department.
“The whole family is very honored and it meant a great deal to us that the school honored Shannon in this way,” Dinkins said.
Following the broadcast, students throughout the school were asked to write messages in provided Christmas cards to send to American troops.
Science teacher Meagan Bradshaw feels the day’s activities “really made the importance of the day hit home” to students. She said the day “honors the people that protect us on a daily basis.”
“The ceremony in particular made the students reflect on what an important service our veterans have provided to us, with some paying the ultimate sacrifice,” she said. “It is very humbling to know that people protect us on a daily basis. These veterans would give their life for their county. My father and grandfather are veterans, and each year it (Veterans Day) makes me reflect on the importance of their job.”
Student Izabella Rosales, 16, had never heard Chihuahua’s story until Tuesday.
“I didn’t know his story at all,” she said. “He was a very brave and courageous young man. It was very interesting to hear who Shannon was, as well as the history of Veterans Day. I didn’t have an understanding of Veterans Day until the ceremony.”
Rosales found it difficult to “think of something meaningful to say” in her card, but said the most important thing she wanted to get across to the person who receives it is, “I respect what they do.”
Students in art teacher Jocelyn Rivard’s seventh period class created new cards using pieces of recycled cards and other materials. Rivard said this activity gave her students “real world experience with their art.”
“I thought the art students should do something like this in honor of Veterans Day, simply because the joy of a handmade artwork cannot be expressed,” she said. “I am sure that the recipients of these cards will see the energy and emotion given, both in the art and the sentiments inside.”
For example, student Hazel Trejo, 15, wrote, “May God bless the person who may get this card, I am thankful for your service,” and “I am proud to say that one day I will serve as well.”
Student Jessi Hopland, 17, “cut up an old Christmas card and pasted it on a crayon-rubbed American flag” because she thought it would be both “patriotic’ and “Christmas-like.”
“I feel like teens should acknowledge Veterans Day because a lot of teens go into the service – my brother did,” Hopland said. “These women and men fight every day for us; it’s nice to do something for them every once in a while. It was a great activity and we should do stuff like this more often.”
Brooke Hagan, 15, thought the card making was “a great activity,” especially since many students know someone who has served or currently serves in the military.
“A lot of teenagers (me included) don’t really grasp the concept of what the military veterans of both back then and even now have to go through,” she said. “So, I think this was an awesome thing to do, to let them know we appreciate what they do.”
Fellow student Amber Scott, 18, agrees.
“This activity helps people understand what a veteran is and why they are so special to our country,” she said. “Teenagers should realize how important veterans are, and that they fought for our freedom. Without veterans, we would probably not be here today.”