We hope this program fills you with joy and pride knowing how deeply you are appreciated. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for the freedom we enjoy because of you”

Hannah DeYoung, Elementary Music Teacher

On November 11, 2024, students from Stanley-Boyd Area School District hosted a heartfelt Veterans Day program honoring the brave men and women in the local community who have served in the U.S. military. The program hosted at the Stanley-Boyd High School gymnasium offered an opportunity for the students and faculty to reflect on the meaning of Veterans Day and show appreciation for the sacrifices made by local veterans while serving as a reminder that the true spirit of Veterans Day is not just about the day itself, but about honoring and remembering the sacrifice of those who have served every day. After a heartfelt prayer, the event kicked off with a special lunch for veterans, prepared by FCCLA students and those in Ms. Kari Thorpe’s Food Service class, along with senior football players who greeted and served the veterans.
Following the lunch, the program continued with poems and musical performances by elementary students from kindergarten through fourth grade.

“We hope this program fills you with joy and pride knowing how deeply you are appreciated. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for the freedom we enjoy because of you,” said Hannah DeYoung, Elementary Music Teacher.

As the young voices blended with those of the veterans singing ‘America the Beautiful’, the gymnasium was filled with emotion—a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served, and the deep gratitude felt by both the students and faculty.
Veterans were then escorted to seats near the stage for the second portion of the program, as Stanley-Boyd students from fifth grade through twelfth grade gathered in the gymnasium to continue honoring their service.
“We deeply appreciate all of our servicemen and women both past and present for their dedication and sacrifice,” senior high school student Sydney Gundlach, who co-emceed the event with Bella Goettl, told the attendees. Local veterans presented the flags, and high school history teacher Bob Seidl recognized the five branches of the United States Military: The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Stanley-Boyd students Kaylee High, Carter Isenberger, and Braden Ciszak shared their experiences at Badger Girls State and Badger Boys State. The students were sponsored by the Stanley Lions Club, the Stanley VFW, and the Boyd American Legion which made their participation in these programs possible. “Your service and sacrifices are what make opportunities like this possible and I’m truly thankful for all you’ve done,” Ciszak said, addressing the Veterans.
Under the direction of Louella Derrico, Director of Choirs, the Stanley-Boyd High School Choir performed ‘America the Beautiful’ by S. Ward and Middle School students read essays and poems honoring the sacrifice and service of Veterans past and present. Legion Post 112 Commander Bruce Wozniak delivered an emotional address about the challenges veterans face after serving their country, including the often-overlooked hardships that many endure, such as mental health struggles and the heartbreaking reality of veterans who choose to take their own lives.
“We’re losing twenty-two veterans a day, but these kinds of events help prevent suicide,” said Wozniak.
Mary Randall, the daughter of a veteran and a member of a family with military service, spoke about the purpose of Camp Victory—a 295-acre peaceful retreat designed to help veterans and their families reconnect with one another and with nature.
“Most important is to have a place where our veterans and our families can come together to share their shared experiences and talk to people, so we no longer lose twenty-two veterans every day. The loss of camaraderie that veterans experience after they come back from combat is real,” said Randall. “Camp Victory is about establishing relationships. When people feel cared about, they don’t commit suicide.”
At Camp Victory they strive to provide a place where veterans can experience healing, strength, a sense of belonging and where camaraderie can flourish.
At the conclusion of the program, students and faculty of Stanley-Boyd High School expressed their gratitude for the veterans through their applause, carrying the respect, and sacrifice of those who served with them as they exited. The Veterans Day program at Stanley-Boyd High School served as a powerful tribute to the veterans in the community, highlighting the deep connection between the school, its students, and the brave men and women who have served our country. It was an afternoon of remembrance, gratitude, and respect—a reminder that freedom is never free, and that the sac