Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) observed Veterans Day with heartfelt celebrations and activities across the division, highlighting the service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans. Schools hosted events to honor veterans within the community and beyond, engaging students, staff, and families in meaningful tributes.
Veterans Day Luncheon at CTEC
Eastern View High School (EVHS), Culpeper County High School (CCHS), and the Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC) partnered to host a Veterans Day luncheon open to the entire community. Held at CTEC, the event featured a moving performance by the CCHS choir and remarks from Eric Sherry, a CCHS staff member and military veteran, who shared insights about his time in service. Chef Cohen and the Blaze Kitchen culinary team prepared a delicious meal served by culinary students. CMS students contributed by writing thank-you letters to local veterans, which were distributed during the luncheon.
Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery
The EVHS Concert Band played a variety of songs at the Culpeper National Cemetery’s Veterans Day ceremony. They opened the ceremony at 11:00 a.m. with The National Anthem. Later in the ceremony, they played the Armed Forces Salute, which included the songs of each branch of the service. Veterans stood when their song was played and the crowd applauded each group. The ceremony concluded with echo Taps, played by EVHS trumpet players Noah Bailey and Nathaniel Jones.
A.G. Richardson Elementary School
A.G. Richardson Elementary School held its own Veterans Day ceremony, where Max Johnston, a fifth grader, played the National Anthem on guitar, accompanied by fifth-grade students singing. Veterans in attendance were individually recognized with carnations presented by students and honored through a slideshow featuring veterans from AGR families and staff. Second graders also read original poems dedicated to veterans.
Pearl Sample Elementary School
Pearl Sample Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day breakfast sponsored by the PTO. Veterans and their families were treated to breakfast, followed by a patriotic hallway parade where students cheered and waved American flags. A special guest, Mr. Thomas, brought his service dog and spoke to classes about the importance of service animals.
Culpeper Middle School
Culpeper Middle School (CMS) engaged students with several Veterans Day activities, including a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. Students and staff placed donations in containers representing different branches of the military, with proceeds going to the organization. CMS English and ACE classes wrote letters of gratitude to veterans, which were handed out during the CTEC luncheon. The school also produced a Veterans Day news broadcast, including a special moment of silence and a segment on the Marine Corps Birthday, celebrated the day before Veterans Day.
Floyd T. Binns Middle School
Floyd T. Binns Middle School created a special news broadcast video honoring veterans of all military branches. The school also recognized their own staff veteran, school security officer John Hunter, who served eight years in the Marines, through social media and website posts.
Emerald Hill Elementary School
Emerald Hill Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day breakfast featuring patriotic performances by the school choir and National Anthem sung by Deputy White. Fifth-grade speakers reflected on the significance of the holiday, and the hallways were decorated with student-made patriotic art and photographs of veterans. Miranda Sutton, a fifth grader, was also recognized for winning the state-level Poppy Poster Contest.
Yowell Elementary School
Yowell Elementary School created a visual tribute by inviting families to decorate stars honoring veterans in their families, which were displayed on a bulletin board outside the library. Students wrote letters and drew pictures for veterans, which will be sent to a local VFW.
Farmington Elementary School
Farmington Elementary School featured a student-made video about Veterans Day on the morning news broadcast. The video highlighted the contributions of Mr. Mastromarino, the school’s music teacher and a veteran.
Sycamore Park Elementary School
Students at Sycamore Park Elementary School expressed their gratitude to veterans by creating thank-you posters during library class. These heartfelt creations served as a visual tribute to the veterans within the community.
CCPS schools shared their activities and tributes through social media, further amplifying their appreciation for the service of veterans. Culpeper County Public Schools remains committed to recognizing and celebrating the service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans through meaningful engagement with students, staff, and the community.