West Seneca West Senior High School honored our country’s brave men and women the morning of Thursday, Nov. 10 in recognition of Veterans Day. Students, teachers, faculty, staff, community members and our courageous local veterans gathered together in the school’s gymnasium to thank living veterans for their service, to remember those our nation lost and to give thanks for their sacrifice.
Honored guests included the American Legion Color Guard, AMVETS, American Legion Post 735, American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary Unit 735, Niagara Frontier Marine Corps League, VFW Post 2940, VFW Post 12097, Gold Star Mothers, West Seneca Veterans, Navy Seabees, 82nd Airborne, VFW Post 8113 and Armed Services Recruiters for West Senior.
The 26th annual Veterans Day Commemoration included performances by the school’s vocal jazz, bel canto, string ensemble, wind ensemble and teacher Keith Ersing. Patriotic readings were presented by students Emma Taylor and Grace Collura and art students Alyssa Smolinski and Kassandra Matteson were recognized for their excellent patriotic posters. Veterans Day artwork was hanging on the walls in the halls surrounding the gym and will be donated to the VA Hospital.
The event’s guest speaker was West Seneca East graduate Master Sergeant Christopher Lopardi, Assistant Chief of Readiness, Eielson Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services Flight Eielson AFB, Alaska.
The morning concluded with a gathering in the school’s library media center.
