Students lead Veterans Day breakfasts and honor walks across Olentangy schools
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Summary
Student ambassadors and school staff from Scioto Ridge, Orange Middle and Berlin High described student-led Veterans Day breakfasts, honor walks, fundraisers and partnerships that honored veterans and raised money for veteran organizations.
Multiple Olentangy schools presented Veterans Day celebrations to the board at the Nov. 12 meeting, with staff and students describing breakfasts, tribute walks and fundraising that engage hundreds of veterans and families.
Lisa Graham, military family liaison at Scioto Ridge Elementary, said the school runs a student-led breakfast for veterans — served in part by a veteran-run vendor — and this year introduced a 'clap out' where the entire school lined hallways to escort veterans and families. Student ambassadors described sitting with veterans and learning about their service; fourth- and fifth-grade students said the events teach respect and service.
Orange Middle School representatives described an annual honor walk that raised more than $4,000 this year to support Honor Flight, Save a Warrior and Mission Gratitude, and noted the school has donated over $20,000 toward the Orange Township Veterans Memorial over several years.
At Berlin High School, teacher Amy Justasani and sophomore volunteer Rosie Elizaga described a program that brings thousands of students through a tribute walk and partners with the National Veterans Memorial Museum to deepen students’ understanding of veterans’ service.
Why this matters: the programs connect students to civic traditions and local veterans, promote community fundraising for veteran services, and serve as regular experiential learning opportunities for many students across the district.
Next steps: schools will continue the breakfast and honor-walk traditions and maintain partnerships with veteran-serving organizations.