Number of Participants: 300
Hours Donated: 1
Value of Time Served: $2,535
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Sport: Schools
Date: November 10, 2022
Location:
Ronkonkoma Middle School
Peconic Street, Ronkonkoma
NY
About:
Ronkonkoma Middle School students and faculty honored the country’s brave and proud heroes during a three-part Veterans Day celebration, held on Nov. 10.
The day commenced with a breakfast for local veterans and their families, which were students and faculty who attend Connetquot schools.
The veterans then processed into the Alice R. Schaefer Auditorium as the symphonic band played “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” After soloist Sofia Lovaglio led the audience in the national anthem, Principal Joseph Licato thanked the veterans for attending the celebration. He also noted that the day was one in which “to take a moment to pause and reflect on those who served.”
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa and New York State Assemblyman Doug Smith were also in attendance and thanked the honored guests for their service. Assemblyman Smith told the audience that veterans preserved the way of life that other people want to see go away.
Mr. Caracappa said, “They [veterans] allowed us to live our lives as we want to and laid down their lives for our freedoms. Thank you for everything you continue to stand for.”
Ms. Mackin’s fourth grade students from Edith Solum Elementary School also attended the celebration to hand out handmade cards to the veterans. Blue Star Moms Peggy Dinkelman and Beth Taylor also announced that they will collaborate with the school in collecting items for soldiers currently in combat.
As the symphonic band played the “Marches of the Armed Forces,” veterans stood to their corresponding anthem. Students also presented their honored veteran guest to the audience.
A performance of “We’re Coming to America” by the “Ronkettes” then followed with the RMS Show Choir Patriotic Dancers entertaining the crowd with accompaniment by Mr. Licato on guitar, Dr. Frank Saladino on drums, Jenna Micalizzi on piano and Michael Murphy on bass. The patriotic assembly commenced with the show choir’s singing a medley of patriotic tunes.
After the assembly, the sixth grade class was welcomed to speak with the veterans and to ask them questions about their service in the military.
Photo captions:
A: Ronkonkoma Middle School student Lia Rawkowski had breakfast with her dad, David Rawkowski, during the school’s Veterans Day breakfast.
B: Ronkonkoma Middle School faculty and Connetquot Central School District Board of Education trustees and administration are pictured with veterans invited to the Ronkonkoma Middle School Veterans Day celebration.
C: Edith Slocum Elementary School students attended Ronkonkoma Middle School’s Veterans Day celebration to hand out handmade cards to attending veterans.
D: Local veterans were celebrated at Ronkonkoma Middle School on Nov. 10.
E: It was a morning of celebration at Ronkonkoma Middle School for veterans who served the country.
Photos courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District
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