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CVMS students honor veterans
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The CVMS Cardinal Chorale, under the direction of choir teacher Stephanie Summers, performed “Song for the Unsung Hero” at Canfield Village Middle School’s Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School eighth-graders, from left, Joey DiGiacomo, Brayden Beck, Jake Kowal and Joey Bruno, took part in the school’s annual Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School alumni and U.S. Air Force Airmen Nicholas Montalto (left) and Kaymaun Alexander (right) were the guest speakers at Canfield Village Middle School’s annual Veterans Day Program Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Under the direction of social studies teachers Mike Kerensky (back right) and Jason Jugenheimer (back left) eighth-grade student volunteers prepared and executed the Canfield Village Middle School’s Veterans Day Program, which featured U.S. Air Force Airmen Nicholas Montalto and Kaymaun Alexander (center) on Nov. 11.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Village Middle School eighth-grade students, from left, Grace Mangapora, Joey Bruno, Joey DiGiacomo and Sydney Kinkade, presented the flags at the school’s annual Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield Village Middle School eighth-grade students honored veterans during the school’s annual Veterans Day Program Nov. 11. The volunteer students invited local veterans to attend and were responsible for every aspect of the program, from writing speeches to gathering pictures to creating the PowerPoint presentation.
The students also invited their guest speakers, Nicholas Montalto and Kaymaun Alexander, to the assembly. Montalto and Alexander are both on active duty with the U.S. Air Force and are both Canfield High School alumni, graduating in 2013.
Canfield Village Middle School Principal Judd Rubin welcomed the veterans, students, staff and friends and family to the program, after which he turned the program over to the eighth-grade students.
The students, under the direction of social studies teachers Mike Kerensky and Jason Jugenheimer, worked several hours after school to organize the program, which carried the theme of ‘Heroes in Fairy Tales.’
The students began the program with the posting of the colors which attendees were asked to stand for and remain standing for the “Pledge of Allegiance.” The “Star Spangled Banner” was then performed as a duet by two members of the Canfield Village Middle School Cardinal Chorale, under the direction of CVMS music teacher Stephanie Summers.
An introduction to the program was given by Brayden Beck.
Next, “Armed Forces on Parade” was played with veterans in attendance asked to stand and be recognized when the song from their branch of the military was presented. Each veteran received resounding applause.
Keeping with the program’s theme, six students compared the traits of fairy tale heroes to soldiers and veterans.
First, Peter Pan was recognized as having similar traits to soldiers and veterans of the Air Force, such as both displaying fearlessness. The second fairy tale hero highlighted was Aladdin. As Aladdin does, soldiers live by the code of helping others who cannot help themselves and they all possess the love of adventure.
Third, Merida from “Brave” was said to display bravery, as do members of the military. As soldiers, veterans and Merida exhibit, it takes bravery to fight for a cause with enemies on the other side; it takes bravery to become part of the military; and it takes bravery to leave behind the loved ones they are fighting for.
Next, Mr. Incredible was said to always do what is required of him, as do soldiers and veterans. They protect, show strength and sacrifice to make us safe. Mulan was the next fairy tale hero recognized. Mulan shares the characteristic of courage with soldiers and veterans. Mulan fought for rights, as do soldiers who give so much and ask for so little in return, with some giving their all.
The last fairy tale hero highlighted was Shrek. As with Shrek, soldiers and veterans do not get where they are alone. They also cannot serve their country alone. They have the support of their families, friends and communities. In the military, soldiers form brotherly and sisterly bonds with people from very different backgrounds and they are stronger together than they are ever alone.
The CVMS Cardinal Chorale performed “Song for the Unsung Hero” for the standing room only crowd.
Montalto and Alexander were then introduced and addressed the students, veterans, CVMS faculty, family and friends.
“Before graduating, my father asked me what I was going to do after high school. And, as every high school senior says, I gave the proverbial answer, ‘I don’t know, go to college.’ But in all honesty, I wasn’t ready. I made average grades and if I had gone right to college, then I would have continually made average grades. I shipped off the BMT two weeks after graduating from high school. They broke me down and rebuilt me to the airman I am today. There isn’t a day that goes by that we regret what we do,” Montalto said.
Montalto also had a bit of advice for the students.
“Never take for granted what you have here. Keep on building on what you have done here and keep working hard, no matter what you want to do in the future,” Montalto said.
“Before graduation, I visited the Youngstown Air Reserve and immediately felt the bond among the soldiers there. I knew it was the place for me. It was a bond for the greater good. I joined the U.S. Air Force, graduated high school and went off to basic training. Deployment was an eye opener. I saw how fortunate we are here. People over there don’t have it as good as we do. You don’t realize how many things we have here that they don’t have over there until you actually see it,” Alexander said.
A video was then shown of soldiers coming home to their families, and pets, from service.
To close the program, a quartet of eighth-graders played “Taps” from the corners of the auditorium.