Pupils recount Vets to D.C. experiences
Many preparations are in place and details are taking shape for Bellefontaine High School’s 50th birthday celebration, slated for Thursday evening in conjunction with the school’s homecoming activities this week.
BHS Principal Dr. Pam Noeth reported the various activities for the celebration at Monday evening’s board of education meeting, noting that the school building at 555 E. Lake Ave. building first opened its doors in 1967.
She has coordinated the fireworks display that is planned for that evening, along with many other activities at AcuSport Stadium, including a tribute video and a “birthday cake” bouncy house for children.
“It’s going to be a fun evening, and we’d love for everyone to come out and join us,” she said. “One of our students, Michael Horvath, has created a history video for the school that will be playing. We’ll also be serving cake, and the choir will sing, ‘Happy Birthday’ to the school.”
The homecoming parade begins in the downtown area at 6 p.m. and concludes at the stadium at 7 p.m. for other festivities. A full fireworks show is planned for 8 p.m., with viewing at the stadium.
Superintendent Brad Hall expressed appreciation to the BHS principal for all her efforts preparing for this special event.
“Dr. Noeth has put in so many hours getting ready for this, and has thought of every detail, from contacting law enforcement, to asking many questions of the fireworks company. We appreciate her efforts to make this a memorable day for our community.”
Also during the meeting, BHS seniors Madison Krock and Payton Smith reported on their recent trip with the Logan County Vets to D.C. program Sept. 15 through 17. Madison received a spot on the trip as one of the winners of a student essay contest, and Payton volunteered to go on the trip to provide assistance to the group.
“I wanted to go in honor of my grandfather who recently passed away and was a veteran,” Payton said. “It was an extremely awesome trip, and I’d volunteer to go again in a heartbeat.”
“I had three family members who were World War II veterans who I wrote about in my essay,” Madison said. “I never had the chance to meet them, but on the trip, I got to meet a World War II tailgunner who was part of the group, and that was so neat because one of my relatives was a tailgunner.”
Bellefontaine High School senior Payton Smith, standing, shares at the Monday evening Bellefontaine Schools Board of Education meeting about experiences volunteering with the Logan County Vets to D.C. program earlier this month, as fellow trip member and BHS senior Madison Krock looks on. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)
Trip organizer Scott Stewart said the pupils’ participation was meaningful to him and the veterans, who represented World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
“A lot of the older vets think they’re forgotten about, so this means so much to them to have the students participate,” he said. “Madison and Payton did everything I wanted them to and much more. They’re very good examples of what you’d want a student to be.
“We also appreciate the BHS band playing for the send-off as well. That was an emotional send-off for many of the vets.”
Read complete BOE NEWS in Tuesday’s Examiner.
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