Grand old flag, grand grandparents in Long Creek

Published 4:00 pm Monday, November 26, 2012

LONG CREEK Long Creek School held a combined celebration of grandparents and veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The K-6 elementary school, under the direction of teachers Denise Porter and Patch Freeman, has sponsored the event each year for the past 15-plus years to encourage students to show respect for the country and their grandparents.

Visitors were treated to a tour of the book fair, visits to classrooms to view educational and art activities, and demonstrations of computer skills by students. Students interviewed their grandparents with questions about their childhood memories of life at school and home.

At an assembly, students and visitors honored the nation and its veterans. Students Jesse Manning and Brooklyn Near gave a short speech on flag etiquette, Drew Wilburn spoke about the history of Veterans Day, and Ian Swanton read a history and the text of the Gettysburg Address. Students sang songs including Youre a Grand Old Flag, The Marines Hymn, and America.

Perfect attendance awards for the first quarter were given to: Jesse Manning, Michael Martin, Nolan Garinger, and Kayla Neff.

The students and their guests enjoyed lunch prepared by Linda Hunt, the Long Creek School cook. The organizers lauded the contributions of Jennie Freeman and Zach Johnston, who played piano; Fred Drake, who set up the multipurpose room; and Heather Near, Linda Studtmann, and other volunteers who ran the book fair.