Participants in the 2024 Veterans Day Assembly are pictured left to right. Kneeling- Collin Hollis, Albion Nasufi, Keegan McDonald, Kaleb Marsh, Zach Tarchak, Ian Dzielak, Ryan Yadlosky, Stephen Ennes, Ethan McDonald, and Thomas Seymour. Standing- Andrew Balderas, Stephanie Granville, Robert Molinaro, Nicole Molinaro, Fernando Prieto, Prissida Prieto, Angelica Prieto, Abigail Wall, Eliana Connolly, Eva Balderas, Ava Peregrin, Leila Esgro, Rylie Toolan, Hannah Mccaffrey, Elvira Marrero, Clara Crandall, Caitlyn Burns, Alexis Black, Allyssah Bonk, Mr. Thomas Mauro, AP U.S. History Teacher and Event Organizer, Hong Tran, Ava White, Summer Young, Madison Dutter, and Jesse Dutter.
Carbondale Area Hosts Annual Veterans Day Assembly
On Friday, November 8, 2024, Carbondale Area Junior/Senior High School held its annual Veterans Day Assembly, which was dedicated to our service men and women who made great sacrifices for our country. Mr. Thomas Mauro organized the event with his AP U.S. History students.
Leila Esgro welcomed all in attendance and then Collin Hollis and Thomas Seymour completed the Posting of Colors. The National Anthem was performed by members of the Carbondale Area Band.
“Why We Honor Veterans” was explained by Rylie Toolan and Abigail Wall, “Significance of the Poppy” by Stephen Ennes, and “Tomb of the Unknown Solider” by Elvira Marrero. “Letters from Veterans” were read by Hannah McCaffrey, Angelica Prieto, Eliana Connolly, Caitlyn Burns, and Hong Tran. Ryleigh Brink read “Missing Man Table” and “Gold Star Families.” Both Rylie Toolan and Ryan Yadlosky read original poems about what life is like for soldiers returning after war. The roles of women in the military were discussed by Summer Young, Ian Dzielak, Ava White, Keegan McDonald, and Ethan McDonald. Eva Balderas and Ryleigh Brink spoke on what it is like to live in a military household while having parents and loved ones deployed and moving from place to place and having to start over again and again.
Clara Crandall sung “Come Back Home,” Zachary Tarchak sang “Simple Man,” and and Ava Peregrin sang “Traveling Soldier.” Eliana Connolly concluded the performances with “Imagine.”
The students and staff were also shown a video explaining the story of the Granville twin brothers, Joseph and Earl, Carbondale Area alumni, and the sacrifices they made for our great nation.
To bring the ceremony to a close, Madison Dutter and Albion Nasufi played Taps during the Recess of Colors.
On behalf of the students and staff here at Carbondale Area, we thank the all the veterans, especially our local ones, for the sacrifices they made so we could enjoy the freedoms we experience today.
Leila Esgro offers the Welcome Address, leads everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, and introduces the speakers throughout the ceremony.
Rylie Toolan reads her portion of “Why We Honor Veterans.”
Abigail Wall reads her portion of “Why We Honor Veterans.”
Clara Crandall sings “Come Back Home.”
Stephen Ennes reads “Significance of the Poppy.”
Elvira Marrero reads “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”
Hannah Mccaffrey reads one of the “Letters From Veterans.”
Angelica Prieto reads one of the “Letters from Veterans.”
Eliana Connolly reads one of the “Letters From Veterans.”
Caitlyn Burns reads one of the “Letters from Veterans.”
Hong Tran reads one of the “Letters from Veterans.”
Zachary Tarchak sings “Simple Man.”
Summer Young reads her portion of “Women’s Roles in the Military.”
Ian Dzielak reads his portion of “Women’s Roles in the Military.”
Ava White reads her portion of “Women’s Roles in the Military.”
Keegan McDonald reads his portion of “Women’s Roles in the Military.”
Ethan McDonald reads his portion of “Women’s Roles in the Military.”
Ava Peregrin sings “Traveling Soldier.”
Rylie Toolan reads her poem “Nothing Left to Lose.”
Ryan Yadlosky reads his poem “Memories of War.”
Ryleigh Brink reads “Missing Man Table,” Gold Star Families,” and “Effects of Active Service.”
Eva Balderas reads her portion of “Effects of Active Service.”
