Veterans Day salute big hit at junior high

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The students and faculty at Hartselle Junior High School were at their patriotic best on Tuesday, Nov. 9, as they saluted an estimated 250 veterans during their annual Veterans Day Program.
The program featured a posting of colors by the HJHS Honor Society, music by the school band and songs by the combined chorus. In addition, a student tribute was given by six students, Julia Matthews, Allyson Burgess, Riley Corum, Sydney Sneed, Devin Lowery and Ashley Boggs. They read essays they had penned on the subject “What a Veteran Means to Me.”
Students applauded loudly as veterans stood to show in what time frame they served and again when the anthem for their particular branch of service was sung by the choir. Afterward, they gave all the veterans a standing ovation. Veterans responded likewise to students as they stood to exit the school auditorium, class by class, after the program was concluded.
Hartselle native Greg Screws, a news anchor for WHNT-TV Channel 19, served as master of ceremonies
He commended the school for its patriotic spirit and called its Veterans Day Program the best one he has witnessed in the Tennessee Valley.
Bill Fowler, a retired HJHS teacher, was awarded the John Frank Parker Freedom Award in recognition of his contributions to education for over 30 years.
In presenting the award Frank Parker identified Fowler as a member of the school’s original faculty, teaching math.He said Fowler was an outstanding teacher and individsual, possessing character traits of loyalty, duty, respect, selflessness, service, honor and integrity.
The program was concluded with the playing of taps by student band musician Hannah Hand.