On Friday, November 10, 2023, CCS was honored to partner with families, alumni and our staff to honor the military service of their loved ones. Student ambassadors greeted guests and handed out the 2023 Roll of Honor while the photo slideshow honoring those who have served played in the East Gym.
The chapel opened with seniors, Sophia Swanton and Jacob Rauch, welcoming guests to this special event and speaking about lessons they learned on the Student Leadership University (SLU) trips to Arlington National Cemetery and the Beaches of Normandy, their fathers’ military service and the importance of remembering those who have served and are currently serving our country. After their opening remarks and prayer, the Colors were presented by the United States Army, led by Staff Seargent Henry Stachyra. Verena Shatby, President of the National Honor Society, led the attendees in the pledge to the flag of the United States of America. Our high school choir led the audience in singing the “The National Anthem” followed directly by our middle schools choir’s patriotic rendition of “Stars and Stripes”.
Our honored speaker, Staff Sergeant Jose Rivera, was interviewed by High School Principal Jeff Williamson. S Sgt Rivera recounted his growing up days in New York and being traumatically injured on 9/11 at The World Trade Center Twin Towers and how that motivated him to join the Marines because “they have the best looking uniforms.” Throughout the entirety of his speech, S Sgt Rivera captivated the audience with his praise of our Lord for protecting his life in New York and suffering from an IED explosion.
Backed up by a powerful custom video presentation, the high school choir paid respect to each of the service branches; beautifully singing the “Armed Forces Medley” while our Ambassador Council distributed a triangularly-folded American flag to each veteran as a token of appreciation.
Finally, the sixth-grade choir started the signing of “This Land is Your Land/America the Beautiful”. The middle school worked their way into the beautiful arrangement followed by the high school choir. To say the sixth graders were incredibly cute is quite the understatement.
The event concluded with Kris Hogan, Director of Culture, thanking our veterans, our great speaker and our talented students and closing in an inspiring prayer.
Thank you to everyone who made this event a special morning where we could all say “Thank You” to our veterans of the armed forces and to those who continue to serve our country. God bless our military and God bless America!
