Veterans Day 2024

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Plymouth schools honor veterans

Posted November 11, 2024

Schools in the Plymouth School District held Veterans Day observances Nov. 11 to honor those who have served our country.

Plymouth High School

Plymouth High School students and staff gathered in the school auditorium at 9 a.m. for the annual Veterans Day program, which opened with Principal Joe Brandl explaining the history of Veterans Day and a color guard from VFW Post 5612 presenting colors.

The PHS Wind Ensemble and the PHS Concert Choir performed “Armed Forces - The Pride of America.” Students in the Public Address class provided a program, which shared information about Veterans Day and honored local veteran Mark Degner.

The color guard then presented a rifle salute in front of the school, followed by PHS students Tayla Weisensel and Nehl Kremer playing Echo Taps in the auditorium lobby.

Riverview Middle School

Riverview held an assembly at 9:15 a.m. in the school gym. Principal Tom Dorgan greeted those gathered, including many veterans. Choir students sang the National Anthem. The guest speaker was American Legion member Steve Conto-Bornin, a Navy chief petty officer for 22 years who also served during Desert Shield. Choir students, led by choir director Rachel Simac, and band students, led by director Mike Fedyszyn, also performed “America the Beautiful.”

Horizon Elementary School

Horizon students and staff gathered at 9:15 a.m. in the school gym. After a welcome by Principal Matt Mueller, several fourth-grade students shared information on the meaning of Veterans Day and spelled out the word “veteran” with words that describe veterans. Cpt. Donna Sexson of the Wisconsin Army National Gaurd – and aunt of a Horizon student – was the guest speaker. Students also recited the Pledge of Allegiance and listened to the “Armed Forces Medley” and Taps.

Parkview Elementary School

Parkview students and staff gathered around the flagpole at 10:10 a.m.  After opening remarks by Principal Todd Hunt, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from Parkview led the Pledge of Allegiance. Fourth-graders then explained the meaning of Veterans Day and spoke about the branches of service. A moment of silence was followed by PHS students Erin Mischo and Ryan Helmer playing Taps.

Fairview Elementary School

As students and staff gathered in the school gym at 10:30 a.m. in the gym, a slideshow featured the Fairview Wall of Fame played on a big screen. Principal Nick O’Malley greeted those gathered, then veterans from Ladewig-Zinkgraf American Legion Post 243 posted the colors, then students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Selected students explained the significance of the day, followed by grades three and four singing “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.” After the colors were retired, students joined veterans outside for a rifle volley and the playing of Taps.

Learn more:

• Explore the Community Engagement section of our interactive, award-winning District Report Card to learn more about how our schools collaborate with community members.

Our veterans

PHS Class of 2024

Carter Clemens: U.S. Marines
Jordan Trejo: U.S. Navy
Jordan Kruse: U.S. Navy
John Steinhardt: National Guard

Plymouth School District employees

Josh Batzner, Riverview teacher: Army Reserve 1998-2001
Monica Hamm, Fairview educational assistant: Navy
Ashley Hilbelink, Riverview educational assistant: Army National Guard, 2001-09
Todd Hunt, Parkview principal: Army 1991-1995, Reserve 1995-99
Dominic Kowalczyk, Parkview educational assistant: Army 1997-2001
Stephani Newby, Community Ed & Rec registration coordinator, Army 1986-89
Todd Rortvedt, Food Service: Navy 1978-1984
Jake Sherman, PHS teacher: Army 2001-09, deployed to Iraq 2004-05

Johnson Bus employees

Dan Evanoff: Army National Guard Artillery, 1972-78
David Niedfeldt: Navy Seabees, 1965-71
Mark Zimmermann: Army, 1967-69 
Clifford Kolbe: Marines, 1964-69 
John Raif: Marines, 1989-94
Phil Tripoli: Navy, 1984-2004