Nathan Hale students honor veterans

Nov. 17—COVENTRY — Students at Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School (CNH) in Coventry went all out to honor veterans this Veterans Day.

Last Friday, a special video production was shared school- wide. The video, which was put together by a committee of six students, included performances by the school's select choir, eighth grade band as well as an eighth grade trumpet solo. The video also shared facts and details to help the school community understand the significance of Veterans Day.

In addition to the video, all students were invited to create posters honoring veterans and write letters to them. Students were also encouraged to interview veterans they know.

More than 200 CNH students participated, by creating more than 134 posters and poems, writing 46 letters and conducting three interviews with veterans in their lives.

William Cherniske, a sixth grade English/ language arts teacher at CNH, said that the students did a good job of honoring the veterans.

" We pride ourselves here to make sure that we always remember our veterans...," he said. " The kids worked hard."

In addition to the Veterans Day celebrations, CNH students in the sixth grade honored veterans by participating in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen youth essay contest, which was coordinated by Cherniske.

The contest winners from CNH were Finlay Eaton, Brayden Croutch and Mia Alderucci. They will be presented medals by Manny Rodrigues, the commander of the Coventry American Legion Post 52 and the Coventry VFW Post 10589, during a ceremony this Friday at 8 a. m. at CNH.

According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars website, the nationwide contest gives students an opportunity to write 300400 word essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.

The theme for the 20222023 school year was "My Pledge to Our Veterans."

The essay contest is open to students in grades 6-8. According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars website, prizes and scholarships can be awarded at the post, district, state and national levels. The website says that state winners receive a portion of $ 55,000 in national awards, while national winners receive at least $ 500. The first place national prize for this year's contest is $5,000.

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