Superintendent Kyle Repucci is pleased to share that schools throughout the Rochester School District honored veterans during ceremonies held last week and early this week.

At Rochester Middle School, several dozen veterans attended a concert and recognition ceremony organized by students and teachers Kayla Wark and Megann Woodman that included a band and choral concert featuring patriotic songs on Thursday, Nov. 10.

Band Director Eric Diamond and Chorus Director Maria Isaak led the middle school band and chorus in several numbers, while the Rochester Middle School Video Club provided a video of a tour they took of the U.S. Coast Guard’s nearby station.

Senior Airman Temika Lyman, a graduate with the Spaulding High School Class of 2019, spoke to students about the ways in which joining the Air Force changed her life for the better and gave her focus.

Members of the Spaulding High School Junior Air Force ROTC program — Brady St. Lawrence, Ronald Boisvert, Noah Pinkham, and Athony Queene — posted the colors. Students Molly Pedersen and AJ Joseph served as student emcees, and student Parker Leonard played “Taps.” The Rochester Middle School chorus performed “The Star Spangled Banner” under the direction of Student Conductor Natalie Smith.

Following the ceremony, veterans and their families were invited into the school’s cafeteria to meet students and enjoy baked goods and coffee donated by Potter’s Bakery and Dunkin Donuts.

Also on Thursday, Nov. 10, students at the Gonic School welcomed five veterans from various branches of the military to the school. Veterans Steven Wyrch, Steven Copp, Rick Cooper, Cassandra Cilley, and Tim Anglin joined students throughout the day, leading the Pledge of Allegiance in the morning, and then visiting classrooms throughout the day to share with students what it means to be a veteran and why Veterans Day is celebrated as a national holiday.

Chamberlain Street School hosted a Veteran’s Day breakfast Tuesday and invited veterans with ties to the Chamberlain School community and families as well as the Rochester Police and Rochester Fire Departments. Breakfast for Veterans was purchased from Fallen Leaf Bistro by Dillon Guyre, Owner and Operator of Guyer Travel.

Following breakfast, all students joined the veterans for a flag ceremony including a special performance of the Star Spangled Banner sung by Spaulding High School Junior and Chamberlain Student Intern, Emily Buinicky. Former School Street School students (current Chamberlain fifth graders) also led the school in the pledge of allegiance in sign language.

“On behalf of everyone in the Rochester School District, I would like to say thank you to all of our veterans for their service and sacrifice,” said Superintendent Repucci. “I am pleased our students could honor our local veterans while also learning about the importance of service to our country, the importance of recognizing veterans, and the importance of believing in something larger than ourselves.”