Veterans honored by Waitsburg students

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg School District held its Veterans' Day program led by Music Director Elizabeth Arebalos-Jagelski on November 7, 2024.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke opened the program, followed by students singing the Star-Spangled Banner during the Presentation of Flags. Student Body President Cedar Stegall gave a reading of the history of Veterans Day.

Veterans, family, and community members enjoyed music performed by students under Jagelski's direction and a guest speaker from the community. K-5 students performed "American Dream," kindergarten and first-grade students sang "This is Our Country," the second graders performed "Seize the Day," and third graders sang "Country Roads." The fourth graders sang "The Champion," and fifth-grade students performed "Loyal, Brave, and True."

The guest speaker, Cindy Stranding, a ten-year Air Force veteran, spoke of her experiences after joining the service when she was 17. She planned to travel and take college courses to earn a degree while serving the country.

"Little did I know that through my experiences, I would learn more about myself than anything else," said Stranding.

Stranding said she traveled to Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Alaska, and Holland while in the service, where she learned that her purpose in life was larger than herself. She believes in God and country and that everyone is important and has purpose.

She told the audience how local American Legion members support service members and families by helping veterans in need, offering high school scholarships, summer camps, presenting at funerals, and placing flags on Main Street. 

The students sang "Soldier Girl" as women in the audience who served in the military were presented with roses.

After "Military Medley" was sung, veterans were asked to share their names, branches of service, and family members in the Waitsburg School District.

The students closed the program by singing "God Bless the U.S.A."