Posted Date: 11/15/2022
Members of the Celeste Junior High School student council presented a Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 11, 2022. Students recognized Veterans by their specific branch in the military. The guest speaker, Celeste High School Coach Tim Cooper, gave a heartfelt speech about how he made the decision to serve after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Coach Cooper’s son, Ashton Cooper, is currently serving in the military, and Coach Cooper surprised the audience when he took out his cell phone, called his son, placed the phone to the mic, and asked him to share experiences and what his life was like in the military. Ashton will soon be deployed to Lithuania to strengthen security amid concerns about Russia’s military intentions in the region. This was truly a somber moment for the faculty, staff, students and guests as the realization of what sacrifice really means became very clear. Elementary student council members did a tremendous job singing “God Bless America,” and the students thanked the Veterans in attendance. The program concluded with the US Army Ceremonial Band version of Taps, and Student Council President, Kevin Barry, concluded the program with closing remarks and invited guests to attend the reception.