Students at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) gathered their voices and instruments today (11.9.18) for the second annual Veterans Day program in the school gym.
Banners celebrating the special day adorned the walls of the gym.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/57jE2TCeC3gmhjAJA
Four presidents of the LMPS Student Council presented the Pledge of Allegiance: Graham Hutchens, 8th grade; Jeena Bhakta, 7th grade; Preston Bowen, 6th grade; and Porter Spiceland, 5th grade.
The LMPS Concert Choir sang the Star Spangled Banner cappella, followed by comments from Matt Adler, LMPS principal. He said Dr. Ted Horrell, Lakeland School System superintendent, sent his regards from Washington D.C. He and Joretha Lockhart, Lakeland Elementary School (LES) principal, are both in our Nation’s Capital accepting an award for LES as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Mr. Adler recognized City and Lakeland School Board (LSB) officials in attendance: Laura Harrison, Kelley Hale, Teresa Henry and newly elected LSB member Deborah Thomas; Wesley Wright, Lakeland commissioner; Mayor-elect Mike Cunningham; Richard Gonzales Jr., newly elected commissioner.
The 5th grade choir, composed of all fifth graders at LMPS (about 180 students) performed two songs for the program. First was “The Preamble.” Tonya Miller, choir director, said “By learning this song, the students memorized the Preamble to the Constitution.” Three speakers and solo singers during the song were Makiya Merriweather, Hailey Brown and Jackson Bush.
Next came “Fifty Nifty United States” performed by the choir complete with choreographed sign presentations for each state. “This song helped our students learn all 50 states alphabetically,” said Mrs. Miller.
The LMPS Orchestra, under the direction of Paula Turner, performed “A Soldier’s Hymn” with Piper Pittman, an 8th grader, introducing the piece.
Anneliese Land directed her band students for two songs: “Fanfare Americana” and “Armed Forces Medley” as members of each branch of military service stood to be recognized.
Leann Albert, a 6th and 7th grade science teacher, was program chair.
Retired Navy Senior Chief David Greene, was the guest speaker and shared details about his work for the Navy and the history of Veterans Day.
He said he joined the Navy a long time ago and he had patriotism for his Country both then and now. During his 22 ½ years of service, he said one of his most memorable moments was delivering Christmas packages on Christmas Island on Christmas Day.
He explained the significance of the Veterans Day holiday, noting it began as Armistice Day, with the end to World War I at the 11th hour, on the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918. He noted that was significant as the end of the “war to end all wars.”
He asked students to shake hands with veterans and thank them for the freedoms enjoyed today because of them.
Mr. Adler concluded the program, saying bells will ring from churches around Memphis (and the nation) at 11 a.m. Sunday to recognize Armistice Day.
LMPS serves grades 5-8. High school students from Lakeland attend Arlington High School through an interlocal between both cities.
LES honored veterans with a program yesterday: https://lakelandcurrents.com/forever-remembered-theme-of-les-veterans-day-program-today/
… Photos and video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
