CMCSS highlights Soaring Valor veterans program; JROTC students pair with World War II veterans

Superintendent Dr. Luna reported to the CMCSS board that district students recently participated in the Kiwanis Veterans Essay luncheon and a Soaring Valor trip pairing JROTC students with World War II veterans.

Dr. Luna introduced a video summarizing the Soaring Valor trip and asked the board to note student Olivia Bueller and her veteran partner, retired Colonel Joseph Petersburg. The video showed students and veterans at the National World War II Museum; participants described the experience as formative and emphasized the urgency of preserving veterans— firsthand stories before they are lost.

Remarks in the video and at the luncheon included veterans reflecting on service and students describing the emotional impact of meeting veterans. Dr. Luna told the board that a student named Olivia and her partner—s bond stood out at the luncheon, and she said the veteran approached the microphone and spoke about the trip—s significance. The superintendent and board members praised the students and thanked the senior leadership team for attending the luncheon.

What is not specified: the transcript includes portions of the video and several speakers in the footage but does not provide a full list of veterans or a verbatim transcript linking every quote to an identified speaker. The transcript identifies Olivia by name and references retired Colonel Joseph Petersburg; other video speakers are not consistently named in the record.