Fuller School holds annual Patriot Day assembly in Chowchilla
Anna Mendoza/The Madera Tribune
A Black Hawk helicopter makes its way to land in at Fuller School on Friday for the Patriots Day Assembly.
Chowchilla’s Fuller School held its annual Patriots Day Assembly on Friday to honor first responders with the highlight of a Black Hawk military helicopter making an landing in the school’s yard.
The TK, first and second grade classes hosts the event every year to ensure that the students do not forget or take for granted those who sacrifice to keep our great country safe.
TK and kindergarten classes recited poems about the flag. Jamie O’Neil and Jamie Coronado’s classes recited a poem entitled “The Flag.” RaeAnne Sanchez and Jenny Reed’s classes recited a poem entitled, “I Love My Flag.” Lacey Romine, Shae Hall and Megan Williams’ classes recited a poem entitled, “The American Flag.” Patty McKown’s class recited a poem called, “Our Flag.” Lindsey Katen’s and Rachel Lehan’s classes recited a poem entitled, “Way Up In The Sky.”
The first and second graders recited highlights from several historical moments and speeches from the history of The United States.
Iris Turner’s second grade class performed an excerpt from a speech by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775. Amy Trujillo’s first grade class recited an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence from July 4, 1776. Tricia Placencia’s first grade class recited The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States ratified June 21, 1788. Cyndi Fosnaugh’s second grade classes recited an excerpt from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. Shelly Williams’ first grade class recited an excerpt from the first Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 4, 1933. Shelly Williams second grade class presented excerpts from the Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation by Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 8, 1941.
Taylor Montero’s second grade class recited an excerpt from John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961. Viviana Ortiz’s first grade class presented an excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech on August 8th, 1963. Kulwinder Mauthauda’s first grade class recited an additional excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech on August 8th, 1963. Nancy. Miranda’s class presented an excerpt from Ronald Reagan’s first Inaugural Address on January 20th, 1981. Brittany Wiley’s first grade class presented an excerpt from a speech by Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987.
Jalynn Miller’s second grade class presented an excerpt from George W. Bush’s 9/11 Address to the Nation on Sept. 11, 2001. Karen Bonner’s first grade class recited an additional excerpt from George W. Bush’s 9/11 Address to the Nation on Sept. 11, 2001. Amanda Signorelli’s second grade class recited an excerpt from a speech by Barrack Obama following the death of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011.
Jacob Burns, a third-grade student at Ronald Reagan Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance and London Rodriguez, a fourth-grade student at Ronald Reagan Elementary sang the National Anthem. High school students Angelica Beavers, Kennedy Carter, Ashlee Holladay, Caitlyn Lowery, Ciara Meza, Breann Miumby and Brooklyn Purcell led the crowd in the singing of patriotic songs.
Chowchilla VFW Post 9896 and Chowchilla American Legion Post 148 participated in the assembly as their color guard presented the American flag. Representing the VFW Post 9896 and American Legion Post 148 were veterans: Manual Inacio, Donny Maxwell, Larry Maxwell, Ken White and Virgil Ryals, Albert Gedrimas, John Schuurman, Harriet Kerwin, John Kerwin and Bill Lampley, David Placencia, Larry Bebee, Debra Sutherland and Richard Walker.
The California Army National Guard landed a Blackhawk helicopter on the school grounds for the event. Those responsible for bringing the Blackhawk were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Luis Tejeda, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Irvin Hernandez and Warrant Officer 1 John Tucker and Master Sergeant William McFarland.
Of the assembly, Master Sergeant McFarland said “A very positive and patriot environment was showcased today via our young American’s immortalizing the United States resilience and passion toward a unified and noble cause.”
He further stated, “We, in the National Guard, will never forget such an unforgettable attack on American soil and we as the National Guard always stand ready to protect the liberties of today, tomorrow and forever into the future. We are always ready, always there.”
Chowchilla Fire Chief, Fred Gaumnitz, facilitated the 9/11 Twin Towers Firefighter Memorial Beam to be on display for the assembly. The Memorial Beam honors the men and women who heroically paid the ultimate price at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001. Students and visitors were able to view the beam before and after the assembly.
Many local and state officials attended the event.
Diana Westmoreland from State Senator Anna Caballero’s office said “Fuller Elementary School in Chowchilla hosted a wonderful Patriot Day Assembly. Teacher Tricia Placencia, her team, and staff provided an uplifting and inspiring program honoring those who established our great nation, and those who have defended and protected us for 276 years as leaders, soldiers and first responders. The program will no doubt serve as a reminder to students, parents and others present that we are better and stronger together as the United States of America.”
State Senator Caballero presented all 533 students with a Senate Certificate of Recognition.
The certificates read for “For your participating in the Patriot Day Assembly and learning about patriotism, citizenship and the history of our nation is an invaluable lesson. Thank you for your commitment and dedication in honoring all those who sacrificed for our country since we declared our independence and as we continue to strive to uphold the goals and ideals of our great nation.”
The assembly was planned by teachers Tricia Placencia, Shelly Williams, Karen Bonner and Taylor Montero.
