Veterans Week at the Ali CenterIt is hard to believe we are already reflecting on Week 10 of the Discover Your Superpower In-Residence Muhammad Ali Program! This past week we discussed the Veterans Badge. This important cause has a special place in many of our students’ hearts because they all know someone who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces. Throughout the week we discussed what veterans are, and how we can support them. The 3rd-5th grade room came up with their own scripts, letters and raps to convey their appreciation to veterans in a video. They took ownership of their ideas and really came up with some fantastic videos. We cannot wait to share their videos with local veterans’ organizations!
For every Heart Badge we try our best to have at least one speaker come in, talk and interact with our students about how their own passions relate to the particular cause of the week. During the veteran’s week, Kentucky Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Heather French Henry shared one of the children’s book she’s written about veterans. She also brought along with her the military medals she has been given from veterans she has met through the years. You may know Mrs. Heather French Henry because she was crowned Miss America as Miss Kentucky in 2000. As a special treat she brought her Miss America crown with her to the Ali Center and let each student try it on!
We also invited the local JROTC chapter from Seneca High School to come in to our classrooms this week. The chapter talked to the children about what they do in JROTC and how our students can get involved when they get to high school. I think the favorite part for our students, however, was the boot camp! They loved doing drills and learning from the young men and women from Seneca High. By the end of the day they were happy, but a bit tired. We love being about to expose the students that attend the program to a variety of experiences!
Throughout the rest of the week, our students learned about the common symbols for veterans such as a yellow ribbon, poppies and the blue star flag. They made clay yellow ribbon ornaments, red poppy collages and red poppy wreaths. Students also created Giggle Books, which we will send to people serving in our military to brighten their days. As Week 10 came to a close we are confident in saying that our students and our instructors know what important work veterans and those on active duty do to keep our country safe.
